Oncolytics Biotech Announces Collaboration with Merck and Northwestern University Combining Keytruda and REOLYSIN in a Phase 2 Second Line Pancreatic Cancer Study

Oncolytics Biotech (TSX:ONC) (OTCQX:ONCYF), currently developing REOLYSIN (pelareorep), an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus turning cold tumors hot, announced an investigator sponsored study (IST) supported by Merck Inc. (Merck), Northwestern University (Northwestern) and Oncolytics. This study is an extension of the previously reported phase 1 study (REO 024) that will investigate pelareorep in combination with Merck’s anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda, to treat second line pancreatic cancer patients.

As quoted in the press release:

“This study using Merck’s Keytruda is our second I-O combination in human trials after our multiple myeloma study in combination with Celgene’s Imnovid and Revlimid,” said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech. “We’re very happy with Merck’s increased involvement in our pancreatic studies and believe combining pelareorep with Keytruda poses an exciting opportunity to lay additional groundwork towards our ultimate goal – to expand the use of check point inhibitors as anti-cancer agents by promoting an inflamed phenotype in the tumor, or turning cold tumors hot.”

Click here to read the full press release.