Mirati Therapeutics Inc. and MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, announced they have entered into an exclusive clinical trial collaboration.
The phase I/II study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Mirati’s investigational spectrum-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor, mocetinostat, in combination with MedImmune’s investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab (MEDI4736).
This novel combination will initially be evaluated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer with the potential to explore additional indications in the future.
Mocetinostat selectively inhibits class I HDAC enzymes, which has the potential to enhance the positive effect of checkpoint inhibitors, such as durvalumab, on tumor immunity, while durvalumab is designed to counter the tumor’s immune-evading tactics by blocking a signal that helps tumors avoid detection.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mirati will conduct and fund the initial phase I/II clinical trial, which is expected to start in 2016, and MedImmune will supply durvalumab for the trial.
In the event that the initial clinical trial demonstrates positive results, MedImmune will have an exclusive period of time in which to negotiate a commercial license for the combination in this indication.
