TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer to evaluate its armed oncolytic virus, TILT-123, with avelumab in patients with solid tumors refractory to routine modalities.
 
“We are pleased to initiate a collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer to translate our findings into patients. Preclinical results with TILT-technology and anti-PD(L)1 agents suggest immune activation and efficacy in certain animal models,” said Akseli Hemminki, chief executive officer and founder, TILT Biotherapeutics.
 
Avelumab is currently under clinical investigation in combination with TILT-123 for treatment of solid tumors and has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective for this use.