Advaxis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies, has entered into a non-exclusive research and clinical trial collaboration agreement with Sorrento Therapeutics to evaluate combinations of Advaxis’s Lm-LLO cancer immunotherapy technology platform, including ADXS-HPV, ADXS-PSA and ADXS-HER2, with Sorrento’s fully human antibodies targeting immune checkpoints, including GITR, OX40, LAG-3 and TIM-3.

Advaxis’s preclinical program for ADXS-HPV previously examined its therapeutic potential in combination with agonistic research antibodies, including anti-OX40 and anti-GITR. Preclinical data demonstrated that the combination of ADXS-HPV with agonistic research antibodies led to significant inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice. Complete regression of established tumors occurred in 40% and 60% of animals treated with ADXS-HPV in combination with anti-OX40 and anti-GITR antibodies, respectively (AACR Abstract #LB-229).

“Leveraging Sorrento’s fully human antibody library and Advaxis’s Lm-LLO immunotherapy technology offers a significant opportunity to target multiple cancer indications and extend the potential of our respective company’s technologies,” said Daniel O’Connor, president and chief executive officer, Advaxis.

According to the agreement, Advaxis will conduct the studies and the companies will equally share the expenses. The companies want to begin the first of the two planned combination studies in 2016. Results from the studies will be used to determine whether further clinical development of specific combinations is warranted.

“Clinical collaborations are an integral part of Sorrento’s strategy to accelerate the development of our diverse portfolio of immuno-oncology antibodies against a broad range of cancers,” said Henry Ji, president and chief executive officer, Sorrento.