Entinostat is an oral small molecule that targets immune regulatory cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs)) and atezolizumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting protein programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1).
Syndax chief executive officer Briggs Morrison said: "Clinical development collaborations with industry leaders are an essential element of our strategy to realize the full potential of entinostat and position Syndax at the forefront of next-generation immuno-oncology therapy.
"This collaboration expands our emerging immuno-oncology program into an important new indication. We are looking forward to collaborating with Genentech to study atezolizumab and entinostat in a breast cancer population with few treatment options."
The deal will see Syndax responsible for conducting the Phase Ib/II clinical trial evaluation the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of Syndax’s entinostat in combination with Genentech’s atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
The agreement also includes a provision where the parties may extend the collaboration to include a Phase III trial as well as additional trials in new indications of mutual interest.