Affimed To Collaborate With Merck To Evaluate AFM13 In Combination With KEYTRUDA

(RTTNews) - Affimed N.V. (AFMD) Monday announced clinical research collaboration in immuno-oncology with Merck (MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. The study will try to establish a dosing regimen for Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA and Affimed's AFM13 for Hodgkin lymphoma in combination.

As per the agreement, Affimed will fund and conduct a Phase 1b clinical trial to investigate the combination of Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, with Affimed's proprietary drug candidate AFM13 for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma whose disease has relapsed or is refractory to chemotherapy, including treatment with the marketed antibody-drug-conjugate Adcetris. Affimed would initiate the study in the first half of 2016.

AFM13 is a bispecific antibody, while KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody.