Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced the first presentation of data from the Phase 2 waveLINE-007 trial evaluating zilovertamab vedotin, Merck’s investigational antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that targets receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone plus rituximab (R-CHP) for the treatment of patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). At a pre-planned analysis, zilovertamab vedotin in combination with R-CHP achieved a 100% (n=15) complete response (CR) rate in patients treated with zilovertamab vedotin at 1.75 mg/kg. Based on the data, the study has established 1.75 mg/kg as the recommended Phase 3 dose of zilovertamab vedotin. These data are being presented for the first time today in an oral presentation (Abstract #578) at the 66 ^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition.

“There is a need for additional first-line treatment options to help patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, since, unfortunately, approximately 40% still experience relapsed or refractory disease after initial treatment with the current standard of care,” said Dr. Muhit Ozcan, the study’s principal investigator, Ankara University School of Medicine. “These data from the Phase 2 waveLINE-007 trial are promising and support further research in the first-line setting in a larger patient population to help address this significant unmet need for patients.”

“We are pleased to see these early positive results from the Phase 2 waveLINE-007 trial, in which zilovertamab vedotin demonstrated a highly promising response rate and a manageable safety profile in combination with standard of care,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, vice president, oncology clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “We look forward to advancing our research of this investigational ROR1-directed antibody drug conjugate, which we believe has strong potential in multiple hematologic malignancies.”

As announced, data from more than 20 abstracts are being presented from across a broad range of hematologic malignancies from Merck’s hematology pipeline, which includes a diverse range of investigational assets with novel modalities, at the 66 ^th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition.