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BioLineRx (BLRX) Starts Cancer Study on BL-8040+Keytruda

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BioLineRx Ltd announced the commencement of the second phase IIa study on its lead pipeline candidate, BL-8040 (a CXCR4 antagonist), in combination with Merck & Co., Inc.’s (MRK - Free Report) anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda.

Shares of BioLineRx have outperformed the Medical-Drugs industry in the past one year, with the stock losing 3.1%, better than the 9.3% decline witnessed by the industry.

The open-label, single center, single-arm study will evaluate the BL-8040+Keytruda combination for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer, focusing on the mechanism of action by which the treatments would synergize. In addition to evaluating the clinical response, the study includes multiple assessments to assess biological anti-tumor effects induced by the combination.

We note that this investigator-sponsored study is being conducted as part of a strategic, immuno-oncology, clinical research collaboration between Merck and University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center for the evaluation of Keytruda, in combination with various treatments and novel drugs. In Aug 2016, BioLineRx signed a collaboration agreement with the MD Anderson Cancer Center for the evaluation of BL-8040+Keytruda in pancreatic cancer.

We further note that in Sep 2016, BioLineRx announced the initiation of the first phase IIa COMBAT study for evaluating the efficacy of BL-8040+Keytruda combination in patients with pancreatic cancer. This study, which is currently enrolling patients, is being conducted by BioLineRx under a collaboration agreement with Merck.

According to the data provided by the American Cancer Society, approximately 50,000 patients were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the U.S. in 2015. Pancreatic cancers of all types are the seventh most common cause of cancer deaths, with pancreatic adenocarcinoma accounting for about 85% of these cases. This indicates huge market potential for this combination therapy.

Apart from Merck, BioLineRx has a collaboration agreement with Roche Holding AG’s (RHHBY - Free Report) Genentech for the evaluation of BL-8040 in combination with the latter’s Tecentriq for multiple solid tumor indications.

BioLineRx Ltd. Price and Consensus

 

A Stock to Consider

Investors looking for a well-positioned stock in this industry can consider Nivalis Therapeutics, Inc. , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Nivalis’ loss estimates narrowed from $2.14 to $2.08 for 2016 and from $2.35 to $1.81 for 2017 over the last 60 days.

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