Global pharmaceutical leader Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD; NYSE: MRK) has announced a strategic partnership with US-based biotechnology firm Phanes Therapeutics to develop a novel combination therapy. The collaboration will see MSD’s anti-PD-1 blockbuster Keytruda (pembrolizumab) paired with Phanes’s first-in-class CD47×claudin 18.2 drug PT886, targeting claudin 18.2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas, a significant step in advancing treatment options for these aggressive cancers.
PT886: A Promising Bispecific Antibody
Phanes’s bispecific antibody (BsAb) PT886 is currently in an early-stage trial for refractory, locally advanced, or metastatic gastric, GEJ, and pancreatic cancers. The drug has already garnered orphan drug designation (ODD) for pancreatic cancer in the US, highlighting its potential in addressing unmet medical needs. PT886 works by directing the immune system to both claudin 18.2 and CD47 on tumor cells, inducing the presentation of cancer neoantigens to activate T-cells against tumor tissue, a unique mechanism that could significantly enhance treatment efficacy.
Phanes Therapeutics’ Robust Pipeline
In addition to PT886, Phanes Therapeutics boasts a robust pipeline of innovative therapies, including the best-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb) PT199 and the first-in-class BsAb PT217. This partnership with MSD not only validates the potential of PT886 but also underscores the broader innovative capabilities of Phanes in the field of immuno-oncology.-Fineline Info & Tech
