Advaxis, AZ in immunotherapy deal
Advaxis Inc. (NASDAQ:ADXS) and the MedImmune Inc. unit of AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) partnered in a non-exclusive deal to conduct a Phase I/II trial with Advaxis' ADXS-HPV in combination with MedImmune's MEDI4736 to treat HPV-associated cervical cancer and HPV-associated head and neck cancer. Advaxis will fund and conduct the trial, which is slated to begin early 2015. MedImmune has first right of negotiation to develop MEDI4736 and ADXS-HPV combinations. Financial terms are not disclosed.
ADXS-HPV, a live Listeria monocytogenes-based immunotherapy expressing HPV type 16 E7, is in Phase II testing for cervical cancer and Phase I/II testing for HPV-associated head and neck and anal cancer. MEDI4736, a human IgG1 mAb targeting programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 ( PD-L1; B7-H1; CD274), is in Phase III testing to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ...