PDS is getting rights to Merck's M9241, a tumor-targeting interleukin-12 fusion compound which is a key component, together with its own investigational HPV16-targeted immunotherapy, in a triple combination being studied to treat advanced HPV-positive cancers.

The Korean firm’s DNA vaccine has shown promise in a Phase II cervical cancer trial in combination with Merck’s Keytruda, prompting the firm to tout potential in the difficult PD-1 negative group.

Athenex expands its portfolio of T-cell receptor therapy technology under NCI license agreement; PDS Biotechnology accesses institute’s TARP tumor antigen technology.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals has reported promising initial data from its first Phase III study of its electrical current-driven DNA plasmid-based immunotherapy, VGX-3100, in virus-associated cervical dysplasia; it is heading a small group of companies evaluating novel therapies in the condition, which often advances to cancer.