United States-based Vedanta Biosciences has started a first-in-patient clinical study of VE800 in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb's programmed death-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, Opdivo (nivolumab), in patients with select types of advanced or metastatic cancer, it was reported yesterday.

The study is being conducted at clinical centres in the United States and will assess the safety and tolerability and clinical activity of VE800 in combination with Opdivo, as measured by the confirmed overall response rate, in addition to other parameters. The open-label, non-randomised study will target enrolment of more than 100 patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic melanoma, gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, or microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer. Eligible patients will receive daily VE800 dosing in combination with Opdivo. Topline results are expected in 2021.

The company has also established its Immuno-Oncology Scientific Advisory Board that includes experts in immunology, immuno-oncology and the microbiome, to support the planned clinical development of VE800.