Debiopharm has entered into a collaboration with Merck KGaA and Pfizer to evaluate Debio 1143, an oral, small molecule inhibitor of IAPs (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins), in combination with avelumab, an investigational fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, in advanced or metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
 
Debio 1143 is currently in Phase II development for head and neck and ovarian cancer. Avelumab is under investigation across a broad range of tumor types by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer. Under the agreement, Debiopharm will be responsible for conducting the Phase I/Ib clinical trial in NSCLC.
 
“We are delighted to initiate this collaboration in immuno-oncology with the strategic alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer. It is a great opportunity to explore in the clinic the immunomodulatory properties of Debio 1143 observed in preclinical studies,” said Dr. Chris Freitag, vice president, Clinical R&D, Debiopharm. “We are hopeful that the immunosensitizing effect of our compound in combination with avelumab may translate into a potentially better treatment outcome for patients suffering from this major debilitating disease.”
 
“Inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has shown promising activity in patients with advanced NSCLC,” said Alise Reicin, M.D., Head of Global Clinical Development in the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which in the U.S. and Canada operates as EMD Serono. “We hope that our exploration of avelumab as a combination therapy with Debio 1143 will generate results that could potentially one day make a real difference to patients fighting this deadly cancer.”
 
“Investigating the potential of combination therapy is an important strategic focus for the alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer,” said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., head of Immuno-Oncology, Early Development, and Translational Oncology at Pfizer. “This collaboration with Debiopharm provides a significant opportunity to explore the potential synergistic effects of these two agents in combination.”