Compass Therapeutics and Merck to Evaluate CTX-471 with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) Together

Compass Therapeutics has partnered with Merck for clinical trials and supply.

FREMONT, CA: “We are excited to collaborate with Merck, a leader in immuno-oncology, and leverage their expertise in the pursuit of therapies to treat patients who have progressed on prior anti-PD-1 therapy. Given our Phase 1b trial of CTX-471 showed monotherapy responses in patients in the post PD-1/PD-L1 setting, we believe a combination study is a logical progression," says Vered Bisker-Leib, Ph.D., President and Chief Operating Officer of Compass Therapeutics. Compass Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel antibody-based cancer therapies, has formed a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada). The collaboration permits the Phase 1b evaluation of the safety and efficacy of Compass CTX-471. This fully human monoclonal antibody binds and activates a novel epitope of the co-stimulatory receptor CD137 (expressed on T cells and NK cells) in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab). Compass is the study's sponsor, and Merck will provide the clinical supply of KEYTRUDA; the firms will form a Joint Development Committee to evaluate the clinical trial data.

CTX-471 is an entirely human monoclonal antibody that binds and activates a unique epitope of the co-stimulatory receptor CD137, also known as 4-1BB, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily.

Compass Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical firm developing antibody-based therapeutics for treating diverse human diseases. The primary emphasis of Compass's research is the connection between angiogenesis, the immune system, and tumor progression. The company's pipeline of innovative pharmaceutical candidates is intended to target many critical biological pathways necessary for an effective antitumor response.

This Phase 1b trial will enroll patients with metastatic or locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma, and head and neck cancers who have progressed after treatment with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors.  Patients will be treated with KEYTRUDA and CTX-471 immediately upon disease progression. The trial's first phase involves raising dosages of CTX-471 with a fixed dose of KEYTRUDA, whereas the second part involves dose expansion. The safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical efficacy of CTX-471 in combination with KEYTRUDA will be assessed through patient evaluation.

KEYTRUDA® is a registered brand of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., located in Rahway, New Jersey, United States of America.