Cancer therapy: Collaboration has FDA new drug application go-ahead

3M Drug Delivery Systems (3M) and MedImmune, the biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, have teamed up to develop toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists

TLR agonists are agents that activate innate immune cells and enhance the visibility of cancer tumours to the immune system.

As part of the agreement, MedImmune has in-licensed from 3M MEDI9197 (formerly 3M-052), a TLR 7/8 dual agonist.

The FDA recently accepted an investigational new drug application (IND) for a phase I study to explore the safety and tolerability of MEDI9197 as a treatment for patients with solid tumours.

Yong-Jun Liu, senior vice president, R&D and head of research, MedImmune, said: “We’re pleased to collaborate with 3M Drug Delivery Systems to explore TLR agonists as monotherapy and in combination with our internal immuno-oncology portfolio.”

Cindy Kent, president and general manager, 3M Drug Delivery Systems, said: “Our companies continue to work well together on this groundbreaking program and we’re very pleased with the progression of MEDI9197 into the clinic.

“The acceptance of the IND marks an important step in exploring this unique TLR 7/8 agonist intratumoral immunotherapy approach in patients with solid tumours.”

Under the agreement, MedImmune is responsible for the clinical development and strategy for MEDI9197.

3M have said they will continue to develop additional TLR agonists in oncology and other therapy areas, with MedImmune holding exclusive rights to conduct research on new molecules, resulting from the collaboration, and to determine which to progress to clinical development.