Carrick Therapeutics, an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing highly differentiated therapies, today announced a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Arvinas, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARVN) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE).

This agreement covers the execution of a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate the novel combination of Carrick’s samuraciclib (CT7001), an oral and first-in-class inhibitor of CDK7, and Arvinas’ vepdegestrant (ARV-471), an investigational oral PROTAC^® (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera) estrogen receptor protein degrader being developed in collaboration with Pfizer, in patients who have received prior CDK4/6i, with ER+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer.

“We’re pleased to announce our collaboration with Arvinas and Pfizer to explore the potential of samuraciclib in combination with vepdegestrant for the treatment of advanced breast cancer,” said Tim Pearson, Chief Executive Officer of Carrick Therapeutics. “Despite the significant progress made in oncology in recent years, the treatment of HR+ breast cancer continues to have considerable unmet needs. We are encouraged by the initial clinical trial data from vepdegestrant and believe there could be potential synergies when combining it with samuraciclib.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Arvinas will be the regulatory sponsor of the study in the U.S. and Pfizer will be the acting sponsor for the study conducted in the U.S., as well as the regulatory and acting sponsor of the study outside of the U.S. The three parties will collaborate through a Joint Development Committee. It is anticipated that the Phase 1b/2 trial will be initiated in the second half of 2023.