Merck and Dynavax in collaboration for combo immuno-oncology therapies

US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) and Dynavax Technologies (Nasdaq: DVAX) have entered into two clinical trial collaboration agreements to investigate the potential synergistic effect of combining immunotherapies from both companies’ pipelines.

The studies will be with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab), and its investigational anti-interleukin-10 (anti-interleukin-10) immunomodulator, MK-1966, with Dynavax’ investigational toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist, SD-101.

SD-101, Keytruda and MK-1966 are immunotherapies designed to enhance the body’s own defenses in fighting cancer. SD-101 is designed to mediate anti-tumor effects by triggering both innate and adaptive immune responses, including the induction of high levels of Type 1 interferon to stimulate recruitment of T-cells. Keytruda is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. MK-1966 is an investigational anti-IL-10 immunomodulator designed to neutralize the immune-suppressive environment for tumors.