Synlogic, Inc. (SYBX Quick QuoteSYBX - Free Report) announced that it has entered a new collaboration with large pharma company, Roche (RHHBY Quick QuoteRHHBY - Free Report) . Synlogic will develop its Synthetic Biotic medicine, SYNB1891, in combination with Roche’s PD-L1 inhibitor, Tecentriq (atezolizumab), as a treatment for advanced solid tumors.

SYNB1891 is a pre-clinical stage candidate. Synlogic is expected to file an investigational new drug (“IND”) application with the FDA in the second half of 2019to initiate a phase I study to evaluate SYNB1891 as monotherapy and in combination with Tecentriq.

The study will evaluate the maximum tolerated dose of SYNB1891 in patients as monotherapy and the recommended dose for the phase II study. Synlogic will bear the whole cost of the early-stage study and Roche will supply Tecentriq for clinical development.

Shares of Synlogic have increased 22.3% so far this year compared with the industry’s rise of 2.2%.

SYNB1891 is a non-pathogenic strain of the bacteria, E.coli, which is designed to stimulate immune response in cancerous cells.

The checkpoint inhibitors like Merck’s (MRK Quick QuoteMRK - Free Report) Keytruda and Bristol-Myers (BMY Quick QuoteBMY - Free Report) and Roche’s Tecentriq have greatly improved the treatment outcomes in cancer patients. However, there are patients who are not responsive to these therapies. Synlogic expects the combination of natural therapies and adaptive therapies like the checkpoint inhibitors to generate better antitumor immune response.

Apart from SYNB1891, Synlogic has a few other candidates in its pipeline. The two lead candidates, SYNB1020 and SYNB1618, are being developed in phase I studies for hyperammonemia (a liver disease) and phenylketonuria, respectively. Synlogic also has a collaboration with AbbVie under which a candidate targeting inflammatory bowel disease is being developed.

Zacks Rank

Synlogic currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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