NewLink inks deal to evaluate I-O-based combinations

US biotech firm NewLink Genetics (Nasdaq: NLNK) has entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with UK pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) to evaluate the combination of indoximod, NewLink’s small molecule IDO pathway inhibitor, and durvalumab (trade name Imfinzi), AstraZeneca’s anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, along with standard of care chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Despite what seems to be a positive move for the company, while shares of NewLink gained 8% pre-market, they dropped back 8.2% to $10.09 by close of trading yesterday.

The primary objective for this randomized placebo-controlled, Phase II study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the immuno-oncology-based combination compared to gemcitabine/abraxane alone. Patients will also be enrolled into a smaller cohort evaluating the combination of durvalumab with gemcitabine/abraxane.