“We are excited to embark on this clinical trial collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which will enable our team to further investigate AU-007 in tandem with an anti-PD-L1 antibody, based on positive preclinical results,” said Aron Knickerbocker, Aulos Bioscience’s chief executive officer. “We believe Bavencio may offer distinct mechanistic synergy with AU-007 when compared to other immune checkpoint inhibitors because it is the only approved anti-PD-L1 antibody that has effector function and engages natural killer cells to kill tumor cells by a process known as ADCC, while also interrupting the PD-L1/PD-1 checkpoint that inhibits effector T cells. This unique profile of Bavencio, along with the ability of AU-007 and aldesleukin to accelerate the activation and expansion of effector T cells and natural killer cells, holds promise for creating a powerful combination therapeutic regimen that may eradicate tumor cells in multiple cancer types.”