AZ, Lilly Expand Immuno-Oncology Collaboration

AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly are building upon their existing immuno-oncology collaboration by testing new drug combinations to treat solid tumors.

Under the agreement, both firms will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of drug combinations across their portfolios, with Lilly leading any studies that come out of that review.   While tumors to be studied weren’t disclosed, the firms did say that AZ’s anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab, will be combined with Lilly’s immune-targeting molecules such as galunisertib, a TGF-beta kinase inhibitor; a CXCR4 peptide antagonist; and an anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody that will also be combined with AZ’s anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody tremelimumab.

The partnership will also explore other combinations targeting tumor drivers and resistance mechanisms. In May, AZ and Lilly announced a Phase 1 trial to evaluate a durvalumab with Lilly’s Cyramza (ramucirumab) in patients with advanced solid cancer tumors.