Study will explore the combination of Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Anyara (naptumomab estafenatox).

 AstraZeneca Group’s global biologics research and development arm MedImmune and NeoTX Therapeutics Ltd., a partner of Active Biotech licensed to develop and commercialize Anyara (naptumomab estafenatox) as a cancer therapy, have agreed to jointly support the phase Ib/II studies investigating the use of AstraZeneca's Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Anyara  as a combined therapy.

Imfinzi is a human monoclonal antibody programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) inhibitor. Anyara is a tumor-targeting superantigen (TTS), a fusion protein containing the Fab-fragment of an antibody that targets the tumor-associated 5T4 antigen, which is expressed in a large number of solid tumors. The Fab fragment is fused to an engineered bacterial superantigen that activates T lymphocytes and targets them to 5T4-expressing tumors, enabling effector lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor and thus leading to tumor cell death.

NeoTX will be responsible for sponsoring the study, and MedImmune will supply Imfinzi. The study is expected to enroll up to 195 patients and will commence this year.