Forty Seven Inc. has entered an agreement with Merck KGaA to conduct a Phase 1b clinical trial combining Hu5F9-G4 with avelumab in patients with ovarian cancer. 

PD-L1 and CD47 are immunosuppressant molecules overexpressed on cancer cells that send inhibitory signals to T cells and macrophages, respectively. Binding of avelumab to PD-L1 takes the brakes off T cells and, in a similar way, binding of Hu5F9-G4 to CD47 takes the brakes off macrophages.

“Ovarian cancer patients have limited treatment options, especially as they are often diagnosed at a late stage in their disease,” says Dr. Alise Reicin, head of Global Clinical Development at the Biopharma business of Merck KGaA. “We have two ongoing registrational studies exploring the role that avelumab could play both as a monotherapy and in combinations in ovarian cancer. This collaboration enhances our strategic approach to novel I-O combinations in this disease setting. We are hopeful that through these efforts we will discover viable options to help patients with this hard-to-treat cancer.”