LAVA Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LVTX) shares soared almost 43% on Thursday after announcing a collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. The partnership involves evaluating the combination of LAVA-1207 with KEYTRUDA®.
LAVA Therapeutics (LVTX) has announced a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, USA. The collaboration aims to evaluate the combination of LAVA-1207, a Gammabody®, designed to target the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab).
The study will focus on patients with therapy refractory metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The combined therapy aims to trigger potent and preferential killing of PSMA-positive tumor cells in the specified patient population.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ, USA, will supply pembrolizumab for the dose escalation and expansion phases of LAVA’s ongoing Phase 1/2a study of LAVA-1207 (NCT05369000). The combination arm is anticipated to commence in the first half of 2024.
Moreover, the agreement includes the continuation of enrollment and dose escalation in the LAVA-1207 monotherapy and interleukin-2 arms of the study.
KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co. LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.
LAVA Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LVTX) Stock Price Action
LVTX stock jumped 42.95% on Thursday. The traders had exchanged hands with 43,154,973 (43.15 million) shares compared to the average daily trading volume of 36.64K.
Mark Glenn is a financial journalist and breaking news reporter for ABBO News. Mark is known for his ability to deliver real-time news updates on market developments, mergers and acquisitions, corporate earnings reports, and regulatory changes, helping investors stay informed and make sound financial decisions.
