Replies to post #277769 on NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[exwannabe]

As previously established, Merck is doing a combination trial of Keytruda and DCVax-L

No UCLA is running the combo trial and it is with Keytruda plus a DC vaccine that UCLA is producing.

If Merck seriously wanted a DCVax-L+Keytruda run they would spend the cash and it would happen a lot faster and use DCVax-L (not something with the same "formula", whatever that means).

The trial design is clearly a true P2 to determine if the combo should be trials in a larger P3.

[longfellow95]

It's a bit of an oddball P2 in my opinion.
It certainly not registrational.
And it re-introduces the use of the poly ICLC adjuvant (both arms).
Which is just adding another ingredient, which will complicate the results interpretation somewhat.

But yes the DC vaccine (whether we call it L or not) is the comparator arm.
But we have to bear in mind that Keytruda is listed in about 27 GBM trials, with every combo under the sun, including a combo with TTF (wouldn't want to be on that one..), so while the trial is definitely interesting, and potentially information rich, results are 4yrs away,
I don't read much into it, as to what it might suggest about a wider NWBO / Merck relationship.

Merck can afford to employ a scatter gun, mud against wall approach, to see what sticks.

My hunch is that L plus poly ICLC will do better without the pembrolizumab.

Anyway here's the trial
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04201873?term=pembrolizumab&cond=glioblastoma&draw=3&rank=11

And here's the other 26!
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=glioblastoma&term=pembrolizumab&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=