Pfizer, Merck KGaA report Phase I data for avelumab

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Merck KGaA (Xetra:MRK) announced interim data from Phase I trials of anti- PD-L1 antibody avelumab ( MSB0010718C) in patients with ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer. The data were released in abstracts ahead of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

In a Phase Ib trial to treat recurrent or refractory ovarian cancer, avelumab led to partial responses in four (17%) of 23 evaluable patients and stable disease in 11 (48%) patients. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.9 weeks and the 24-week PFS rate was 33%. Two patients discontinued treatment due to drug-related adverse events. ...