AstraZeneca and Lilly expand solid tumor immuno-oncology collaboration

Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) have announced an extension to their current immuno-oncology collaboration, researching novel combinations for solid tumors.

The two will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of additional combinations in the companies’ complementary portfolios. Lilly will execute the study, while both companies will contribute resources, though financial terms and tumors to be studied were not disclosed. Combinations will include Lilly’s abemaciclib and AstraZeneca’s Faslodex (fulvestrant), as well as the combination of Cyramza (ramucirumab) and necitumumab from Lilly with AZD9291 from AstraZeneca.

Mondher Mahjoubi, senior vice president of global product strategy for oncology at AstraZeneca, said: “The extension of our collaboration with Lilly further supports our combination-focused oncology strategy and adds to our broad development program across small molecules and immunotherapies.”