UPDATE: MedImmune collaborates with Inovio on cancer vaccines

USA-based Inovio Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: INO) has entered into a license agreement and collaboration with MedImmune, the global biologics R&D arm of Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN).

Under the accord, MedImmune will acquire exclusive rights to Inovio’s INO-3112 immunotherapy, which targets cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. INO-3112, which is in Phase I/II clinical trials for cervical and head and neck cancers, works by generating killer T-cell responses that are able to destroy HPV 16- and 18-driven tumors. These HPV types are responsible for more than 70% of cervical pre-cancers and cancers.

MedImmune intends to study INO-3112 in combination with selected immunotherapy molecules within its pipeline in HPV-driven cancers. Emerging evidence suggests that the benefits from immuno-oncology molecules, such as those in MedImmune’s portfolio, can be enhanced when they are used in combination with cancer vaccines that generate tumour-specific T-cells.