Amgen, Merck plan Blincyto-Keytruda combo study

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) plan to launch two clinical studies next year evaluating cancer immunotherapy combination therapies including Merck's PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda pembrolizumab.

Amgen will lead an open-label Phase Ib/III trial combining its Blincyto blinatumomab with Keytruda to treat diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Amgen and Merck will share trial costs. Amgen markets Blincyto, a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) against CD19, to treat Philadelphia chromosome-negative precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ...