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- Prelude Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PRLD) has forged a deal with Merck (NYSE:MRK) to test its investigational SMARCA2 degrader in combination with the latter’s blockbuster anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in patients with SMARCA4-mutated cancers.
- Shares of Prelude Therapeutics (PRLD) climbed as much as 28% following the news.
- Pursuant to the deal, Merck (MRK) will provide Keytruda to Prelude (PRLD), which will sponsor a Phase 2 clinical combination trial to evaluate its “PRT3789” SMARCA2 degrader in combination with Keytruda in patients harboring a SMARCA4 mutation.
- Prelude (PRLD) and Merck (MRK) will each retain all commercial rights to their respective compounds, including as monotherapy or as combination therapies.
- PRT3789 is a highly selective, first-in-class SMARCA2 degrader, currently in Phase 1 clinical development in biomarker selected SMARCA4 mutant patients. Enrollment remains on track, and the company expects to conclude monotherapy dose escalation mid-2024 and identify a recommended Phase 2 dose.