Merck KgaA, Pfizer, Verastem Agree To Combination Trial Of Avelumab And VS-6063

(RTTNews) - German drug maker Merck KgaA (MKGAY.PK), Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and Verastem Inc. (VSTM) said they have entered into an agreement to evaluate avelumab, an investigational fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, in combination with Verastem's VS-6063, an investigational focal adhesion kinase or FAK inhibitor, in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Avelumab is currently under clinical investigation across a broad range of tumor types. The Phase I/Ib clinical trial is expected to begin in the second half of 2016. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

"Combination strategies in immuno-oncology offer significant promise for patients in need. Through our collaboration with Verastem, we hope to accelerate our understanding of avelumab and its potential as a combination therapy with FAK inhibition for patients fighting ovarian cancer," said Dr. Alise Reicin, Head of Global Clinical Development at Merck KgaA.

Globally, ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women. Annually, nearly 239,000 cases are diagnosed worldwide.