Oncolytics Biotech Inc T.ONC

Merck ditches oncolytic virus Cavatak

[Spdstr]

Merck is bidding adieu to the oncolytic virus, Cavatak, acquired from its 2018 purchase of Viralytics, with the pipeline change disclosed weeks after the Big Pharma hitched its wagon onto Moderna’s cancer vaccine program.

The phase 2 cancer treatment was acquired when Merck bought Australia-based Viralytics for $394 million in 2018.

There were at least 14 trials testing Cavatak, many of which had already been completed. Three active trials that were no longer recruiting were testing Cavatak in combination with Keytruda and one trial still recruiting was looking at Keytruda in combination with a number of investigational treatments

[Noteable]

Viralytics's Cavatak is an intratumorally (IT) injected oncolytic virus in contrast to ONCY's intravenously (IV) administered pelareorep.   https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02565992 https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-ditches-cavatak-more-four-years-after-buying-viralytics

[Noteable]

Could be that Meck has ditched intratumorally injected Cavatak and may be looking at ONCY's intravenously administered Immune Molecule Platform Technology pelareorep given the newly opened Phase 1/2 AMBUSH trial involving pelareorep in combinbination with Merck's (MSD) immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab  (Keytruda) in Multiple Myeloma (MM) started in August 2022 - and could be

[Noteable]

In cohort 2 of the AMBUSH Phase 1/2 study patients receive bortezomib SC or IV and dexamethasone either PO, IV, or IM on days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle while also receiving pelareorep IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 and pembrolizumab IV over 30 minutes on day 9 of each cycle. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 18 cycles in the absence of disease progression or

[Capitalista]

Can you provide a link to this trial description, Noteable?  I can find only a reference to an Alliance AMBUSH trial for MedullaBlastoma; it does not appear to be using Pela as part of its design  

[Noteable]

The AMBUSH trial link was provided in my post below but here it is once more https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05514990

[westcoast1000]

More valuable, factual, relevant information from Noteable regarding the overall market place and trials of related drugs.

[Buckhenry]

there are other sites for the overall biotech market... lets focus on oncy for a change.

[Capitalista]

I think discussion of potential competitors is important - it rounds out consideration of ONC's position in its natural environment.  It all goes to build the bigger picture. What we need, though, is more reportage on successful competitors (if any)

[westcoast1000]

I don't read those other sites. I am not a biotech follower. The comments of Noteable are always related to ONCY if you can connect even just a few dots.

[Buckhenry]

i do my own research.. if you are using this site as ur financial advisor then I pitty you.

[Capitalista]

*pity

[Buckhenry]

yes... that to

[Noteable]

Along with Cavatak being an oncolytic virus that is injected intratumorally (IT) rather than intravenously (IV) like ONCY's pelareorep, clinical trials with Cavatak + Merck's pembrolizumab (Keytruda) didn't sequence the administration of the OV then the ICI and instead were both were administered together. In contrast ONCY's pelareorep is administered through an IV infusion in

[Noteable]

Merck's (MSD) NEW CEO Rob Davis has business development on his mind, as he seeks to build out the company's oncology franchise. "The news comes as Keytruda sales surged past $5.4 billion last quarter, up 20% from Q3 2021. Merck is doubling down on the immuno-oncology blockbuster — which faces a patent cliff in 2028 — throwing down $250 million earlier this month to advance a

[Buckhenry]

Notable must think he is omnipotent or clairvoyant knowing what all these CROss and companies think and are planning.

[Noteable]

Repost from October: Along with Cavatak being an oncolytic virus that is injected intratumorally (IT) rather than intravenously (IV) like ONCY's pelareorep, clinical trials with Cavatak + Merck's pembrolizumab (Keytruda) didn't sequence the administration of the OV then the ICI and instead were both were administered together. In contrast ONCY's pelareorep is administered through

[jimsenior]

Yes to your thoughts on AMBUSH; speaks loudly for pela. Offering the 2 Phase 3 Trials as a unit tells me they are on the right path. I think events have overtaken affairs and a multitude of pathways have opened up. There is not much separating the players in terms of the potential benefits of Pelareorep, and how this ends is anyone's guess I am holding very tightly, and wish all concerned