Exelixis Inc (NASDAQ:EXEL) has agreed two new collaborative trials for solid tumours and other cancers with pharma giants Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche.
With Bristol-Myers (NYSE:BMY), Exelisis will combine Cabometyx, a small molecule inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases, with blockbuster PD-1 immunotherapy drug Opdivo (nivolumab).
The co-funded clinical development program is scheduled to include a phase three pivotal trial in first-line renal cell carcinoma, with additional trials planned in bladder cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and others.
“The safety and efficacy data from the phase 1 clinical trial evaluating CABOMETYX in combination with Opdivo are consistent with the preclinical scientific rationale for combining these two therapeutic modalities,” said Michael Morrissey, Exelixis’s chief executive.
Roche, meanwhile, has agreed to collaborate on an early stage study for a combo treatment using drugs from the two companies to treat advanced kidney, bladder and other genitourinary tumours.
The phase 1b dose escalation study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of cabozantinib, Exelixis’ tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in combination with atezolizumab, Roche’s anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy.
Exelixis will be the sponsor of the trial and Roche will provide atezolizumab.
Sumanta Kumar Pal, co-director, Kidney Cancer Program at City of Hope, and principal investigator in the study, said. “The combined approach of tyrosine kinase inhibition with cabozantinib alongside immune-checkpoint inhibition has already shown promise in an early phase 1 clinical trial.
Exelixis shares rose 7% to US$23.19.