I-Mab Biopharma Announces Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate TJC4 in Combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab)

I-Mab Biopharma, a China and U.S.-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company exclusively focusing on the discovery and development of potential first-in-class and best-in-class biologics in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, today announced that it has entered into a clinical research collaboration agreement with MSD, a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ., USA, to evaluate the combination of I-Mab’s TJC4 and MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA(pembrolizumab) in patients with multiple cancer types.

Under this collaboration agreement, MSD will supply KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) to I-Mab for use in clinical studies in combination with TJC4, a fully human anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody. Both parties will collaborate on a Phase 1 clinical trial, based on an agreed and finalized protocol, to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary efficacy of TJC4 and KEYTRUDA in patients with multiple cancer types.

“TJC4 is a highly differentiated anti-CD47 antibody currently under clinical development. This collaboration will provide an excellent opportunity to further explore therapeutic potential of combining TJC4 with KEYTRUDA across different tumor types.” said Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder and Chairman of I-Mab.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.