LONDON (Alliance News) - 4D Pharma PLC on Monday said it has partnered with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to evaluate its live biotherapeutic oncology pipeline.
The collaboration will initially assess 4D Pharma's lead oncology candidate, MRx0518, as a potential treatment for solid tumours, the company explained.
The first clinical study, conducted in collaboration with the US's Merck & Co Inc, has been initiated and is due to open shortly enrolling up to 132 patients with metastatic cancer who failed prior treatment.
4D Pharma's Chief Executive Officer Duncan Peyton said: "This alliance will provide a strong and long-term foundation for the development of 4D's Live Biotherapeutics in cancer."
"The current study, which will be one of the first Live Biotherapeutic programmes to reach the clinic in the immuno-oncology space, represents an important step forward in the development of MRx0518 and 4D's broader oncology franchise. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at MD Anderson to progress this study and help bring this therapy to patients," he added.