Myriad Expands Diagnostic Research Collaboration With Tesaro, Merck

(RTTNews) - Myriad Genetics Inc. (MYGN) said it has formed a strategic research collaboration with Tesaro Inc. (TSRO) and Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, to help identify potential responders to an investigational combination drug therapy using Tesaro's PARP inhibitor niraparib plus Keytruda or pembrolizumab, Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will use Myriad's myChoice HRD test and new tumor tests to evaluate treatment response in a clinical trial evaluating the combination of niraparib plus pembrolizumab in patients with triple negative breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mary Lynne Hedley, President and COO of Tesaro said, "The combination of a PARP inhibitor and anti-PD-1 antibody may offer a novel way to treat women with triple negative breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Our goal is to use Myriad's assays to help enrich for those patients who will respond to the treatment and have the best chance for success."