Array BioPharma, Pfizer Strategic Tie-Up to Focus on Anti-Cancer Combos
Boulder-based Array BioPharma has now entered a strategic collaboration with Pfizer with intent to investigate the safety and efficacy of several novel anti-cancer combinations, including Array’s MEK inhibitor, binimetinib, with Pfizer’s investigational PARP inhibitor talazoparib, and avelumab, a human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody.
Under the terms of the agreement, Array and Pfizer will collaborate on a Phase 1b clinical trial which will evaluate doublet and triplet approaches across a range of tumor types with an initial focus on non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. A multi-arm clinical trial is expected to establish recommended doses of different regimens combining the drugs. Initially the focus will be in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer, and additional indications will be explored at a later stage. The study should commence by Q3 2018.
“Array is excited to announce this partnership with Pfizer, an established global leader in Oncology therapeutics,” said Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer, Array BioPharma. “These novel approaches combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy hold great potential to help patients fighting cancer in different indications, with an initial main focus on lung and pancreatic cancer.”
“Preclinical data indicate that combining binimetinib with an immune checkpoint inhibitor and talazoparib could be a rational combination to test in the clinic,
” said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-Oncology, Early Development and Translational Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. “We are looking forward to initiating the clinical studies with Array BioPharma to explore anti-tumor activity across various novel combination strategies, including both doublet and triplet approaches.“