Key Takeaways
- Inhibrx’s OX40 agonist INBRX-106 combined with Keytruda showed a 44% response rate in a midphase trial, doubling the control group’s 21.4% rate.
- The company will initiate phase 3 trials and explore additional indications, including lung cancer.
- Merck is reportedly interested in acquiring Inhibrx as they seek to bolster their pipeline against revenue declines.
Encouraging Results from HexAgon Study
Inhibrx Biosciences has reported promising results from their phase 2 trial, named HexAgon, which tests the efficacy of their OX40 agonist INBRX-106 alongside Merck’s Keytruda. The study focused on 68 participants with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who had a high PD-L1 expression.
During an interim analysis, the objective response rate (ORR) for the combination therapy was 44%, a significant improvement compared to the 21.4% ORR seen in the Keytruda monotherapy group. The findings align with Merck’s previous phase 3 trial outcomes, where a similar patient demographic showed a 23.3% response rate to Keytruda.
Mark Lappe, Inhibrx’s CEO, emphasized the potential of the combination therapy, stating that not only were there more responders, but the responses were also notably robust. Among the responders, a majority exhibited over 50% tumor shrinkage, with three patients achieving complete responses, while no complete responses were recorded in the Keytruda-only cohort. This compelling data prompted Inhibrx to pursue further research and development.
Future Plans and Expansion
Looking ahead, Inhibrx plans to begin the phase 3 segment of the HexAgon study in the third quarter of this year. Additionally, the company is set to explore other indications, with a focus on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in perioperative settings, and intends to initiate trials for frontline metastatic NSCLC next year. Inhibrx is also considering combinations of INBRX-106 with other treatments, including vaccines and CAR-T therapies.
The company’s strategy is rooted in the belief that OX40 agonists could be most effective in earlier-stage cancer patients whose immune systems are more active. Despite previous challenges faced by several major pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb, Inhibrx attributes the failures of earlier OX40 agonists to their bivalent designs, positioning their hexavalent variant as a solution.
Market Interest and Acquisitions
Recent developments indicate that Inhibrx’s success with INBRX-106 may attract acquisition interest from bigger players, including Merck. Reports suggest that Merck, along with other companies, may view Inhibrx’s pipeline as an advantageous addition to mitigate potential revenue declines from its existing products. Analysts have estimated that Inhibrx’s pipeline could hold a valuation of up to $9 billion, pointing to a lucrative investment opportunity depending on forthcoming clinical trial data.
BMO Capital Markets analysts highlighted that acquiring Inhibrx could serve as a strategic move for Merck to fortify its position against the rising threat of biosimilars that could affect the sales of Keytruda. Should INBRX-106 gain favor among physicians as a combination therapy, it could effectively help Merck maintain its leadership in the oncology market.
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