Exelixis, Arcus team on trial of zanzalintinib-AB521 combo to treat ccRCC

Exelixis( EXEL) and Arcus Biosciences (RCUS) announced that the companies have entered into a clinical trial collaboration for STELLAR-009, a phase 1b/2 trial evaluating zanzalintinib, Exelixis’ next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, TKI, in combination with AB521, an inhibitor of the transcription factor HIF-2, in patients with advanced solid tumors, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma, ccRCC. Exelixis is sponsoring STELLAR-009, and Arcus is co-funding the study and providing AB521 for use in the trial. Patient enrollment for STELLAR-009 is expected to begin before the end of 2023.”We are excited to learn more about the potential effects of zanzalintinib plus Arcus’ HIF-2 inhibitor, as these two molecules approach the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis from differing angles, and combination therapy may provide better outcomes than either therapy alone,” said Amy Peterson, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “We have a long-established commitment to advancing treatment options in kidney cancer, and we are eager to maximize the potential of zanzalintinib through this collaboration with Arcus and look forward to advancing the combination in the clinic.”