Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) today announced an extension to their existing immuno-oncology collaboration exploring novel combination therapies for the treatment of patients with solid tumors.
Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Lilly and AstraZeneca will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of additional combinations across the companies' complementary portfolios. Lilly will lead the execution of the studies, while both companies will contribute resources. Additional details of the collaboration, including tumors to be studied and financial terms, were not disclosed.
AstraZeneca's anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab (MEDI4736), will be combined with Lilly molecules that target the immune system, including:
- TGF-beta kinase inhibitor, galunisertib.
- CXCR4 peptide antagonist.
- An anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody, which will also be assessed with AstraZeneca's anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, tremelimumab.
The companies will also explore other combinations targeting tumor drivers and resistance mechanisms, including:
- Lilly's abemaciclib (CDK4 and 6 small molecule inhibitor) with Faslodex, AstraZeneca's marketed selective estrogen receptor down regulator (SERD).
- Both CYRAMZA® (ramucirumab) and necitumumab, Lilly's anti-VEGFR and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, respectively, with AZD9291, AstraZeneca's investigational third-generation EGFR inhibitor.
Richard Gaynor, M.D., senior vice president, product development and medical affairs for Lilly Oncology, said, "The expansion of Lilly's research partnership with AstraZeneca will explore the far-reaching potential of combining novel targeted therapies. Our respective pipelines afford multiple targeted options to create innovative combinations in immuno-oncology and beyond, that we hope will lead to future cancer treatment options."
Mondher Mahjoubi, senior vice president, global product strategy for oncology at AstraZeneca, said, "The extension of our collaboration with Lilly further supports our combination-focused oncology strategy and adds to our broad development program across small molecules and immunotherapies."
Earlier this year, Lilly and AstraZeneca announced a Phase I clinical trial collaboration to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of combining durvalumab and ramucirumab as a treatment for patients with advanced solid tumors.
In addition to combinations within the company's own pipeline of immuno-oncology, biologics and small molecule investigational medicines, Lilly has a broad program of combination clinical trials underway with a range of partners.
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