BioInvent and MSD Partner on Phase 1/2a Trial of BI-1910 with KEYTRUDA

BioInvent, a Swedish biotechnology firm specializing in the development of innovative immunotherapeutic antibodies, has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with MSD International Business GmbH, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. The agreement focuses on a Phase 1/2a clinical study combining BioInvent's monoclonal antibody, BI-1910, with Merck's KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), an anti-PD-1 therapy.
The study, which will be conducted across the United States and Europe, is designed with an adaptive approach to optimize dose escalation. BioInvent's BI-1910 is a distinct agonist antibody targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), following the company's earlier program, BI-1808, which is currently in Phase 2a trials. Both antibodies were selected from a diverse group of candidates identified through BioInvent's proprietary F.I.R.S.T™ technology platform, which is capable of simultaneously finding targets and antibodies that bind to them.
The Phase 1/2a single agent arm of the BI-1910 trial commenced in December 2023, with preliminary results anticipated by the end of 2024. BioInvent's CEO, Martin Welschof, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the company's expertise in TNFR2 biology and the potential of BI-1910 when combined with KEYTRUDA.
BioInvent is a clinical-stage company with five drug candidates in various Phase 1/2 trials, targeting both hematological cancers and solid tumors. The company's F.I.R.S.T™ platform has been instrumental in generating a robust pipeline of drug candidates for internal development and potential partnerships. BioInvent also generates income from research collaborations, licensing agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturing services for third parties.