It's been a good last few weeks for makers of cancer-fighting vaccines. On Wednesday, Pfizer
The deal with Avant gives Pfizer the worldwide marketing rights for $40 million in up-front cash, $390 million in potential milestone payments, and a double-digit royalty on sales of the vaccine if it's approved for marketing. Avant has its hand in a host of vaccines in development, and the deal with Pfizer for CDX-110 is only one of several it has made with other large-cap pharmaceuticals and other companies for its vaccines.
CDX-110 is in phase 2 or 3 testing to treat glioblastoma multiforme. In a 375-person clinical study, the company is looking at CDX-110 in combination with radiation and a commonly used chemotherapy. Avant is hoping to show that CDX-110 extends a patient's progression-free survival and overall survival more than radiation and chemotherapy alone. The trial should wrap up late next year.
Any investors who believe that a rising tide lifts all boats must recognize that the cancer immunotherapy space is a good place to be. Three weeks ago, Cell Genesys
The success or failure of cancer vaccines like these and Dendreon's