Lilly and Merck expand immuno-oncology collaboration

Eli Lilly and Merck (MSD) have expanded an existing immuno-oncology collaboration, through a subsidiary, to add a new study of Lilly's Lartruvo (olaratumab) with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Notably, the FDA recently granted accelerated approval for Lartruvo (olaratumab injection, 10 mg/mL), in combination with doxorubicin, for the treatment of adults with STS with a histologic subtype for which an anthracycline-containing regimen is appropriate and which is not amenable to curative treatment with radiotherapy or surgery. Lartruvo (olaratumab injection, 10 mg/mL), in combination with doxorubicin, also recently received conditional marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of adults with advanced STS not amenable to curative treatment with surgery or radiotherapy and who have not been previously treated with doxorubicin.

"We look forward to further expanding our collaboration with Merck to include this combination study focused on advanced STS, a rare and difficult-to-treat disease with limited treatment options," said Sue Mahony, senior vice president and president, Lilly Oncology. "This collaborative study builds on the exciting data we have seen with olaratumab and supports our focus on investigating the potential of rational combinations to enhance efficacy and change the standards of care for people with cancer."

"Historic and present day scientific advances continue to reinforce the role of combination therapies in extending the lives of people with cancer," said Eric Rubin, vice president and therapeutic area head, oncology early-stage development, Merck Research Laboratories. "Our collaboration with Lilly exemplifies our commitment to fully exploring combination regimens with Keytruda to help arm physicians with the treatment tools they need to help their patients."

Lilly is the sponsor of the Phase I study and enrollment is expected to begin mid-2017.