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Merck, BioLineRX to study drug combo to fight pancreatic cancer

Published 2016-01-12, 08:18 a/m
© Reuters. Merck, BioLineRX to study drug combo to fight pancreatic cancer
MRK
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BLRX
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JERUSALEM, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Israeli biopharmaceutical
company BioLineRX Ltd BLRX.O said on Tuesday it would
collaborate with U.S. industry heavyweight Merck (N:MRK) MRK.N to test
a combination of drugs for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The companies will partner in a mid-stage study to evaluate
the safety and efficacy of the combination of BioLineRx's
BL-8040 and Merck's Keytruda in patients with metastatic
pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
"Because certain tumors exhibit only a modest response to
existing immunotherapies, we are increasingly seeing clinical
studies involving combinations of immuno-oncology agents with
other classes of drugs," said Kinneret Savitsky, BioLineRx's
BLRX.TA chief executive.
BL-8040 acts against CXCR4 receptors that are involved in
tumor progression, the company said. It has been shown in
several clinical trials to mobilise immune cells and to be
effective at inducing direct tumor cell death.
Keytruda, an antibody, works by increasing the ability of
the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells,
said Merck, which is known as MSD outside the United States and
Canada.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma accounts for most cases of
pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Specific symptoms often do not develop until the disease has
reached an advanced stage, which is reflected in a low five-year
survival rate.
The study is due to start by mid-2016 and both companies
will have the option to expand the collaboration to include a
pivotal registration study, BioLineRX said.

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