Affimed N.V. provided an update on its NK-cell engager platform. In 2016, the company have significantly expanded activities to optimize the elimination of malignant cells through NK-cell engagement, namely advancing Phase 1b clinical trial of AFM13 in combination with Merck's Keytruda and broadening approach to include the combination of NK-cell engagers with adoptive transfer of activated NK-cells developed at MD Anderson. The company's lead product candidate, AFM13 targeting CD16A on NK-cells and CD30 on tumor cells, is the most advanced NK-cell engager in the clinic. Its development is focused on combination therapy and supported by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). AFM13 is differentiated from monoclonal antibodies as it displays a 1,000-fold higher binding affinity to CD16A, shows very limited competition for NK-cell binding with circulating IgG, as well as higher potency compared to full-length CD30 antibodies. Safety and clinical/pharmacodynamic activity in heavily pretreated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients was established in a Phase 1 study and based on its favorable safety profile and preclinical data, AFM13 is currently under investigation as a combination therapy. Combination therapies have demonstrated improved outcomes for cancer patients and are widely pursued to maximize efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches. Further broadening the therapeutic opportunities for its NK-cell engagers, Affimed is investigating AFM13 in several combination therapies. Cytokines such as IL-2 or IL-15 boost NK-cell activity and are tested clinically in a variety of cancers. In recent preclinical studies, Affimed demonstrated that AFM13 induced the upregulation of specific interleukin receptors on NK-cells and the subsequent addition of IL-2 or IL-15 had a synergistic effect on AFM13-mediated NK-cell expansion. Hence, the combination of NK-cell engagers with such cytokines may be clinically useful to deepen responses. Affimed is developing AFM13 in combination with the anti-PD-1 antibody Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in relapsed/refractory HL in collaboration with Merck, with Affimed being the study's sole sponsor and Merck supplying Affimed with Keytruda for the trial. The Company has initiated a Phase 1b dose-escalation combination study and safety was determined in the first dose cohort, in which three patients were treated with Keytruda at active dose and AFM13 at 0.5 mg/kg, a level below its active dose when used as single agent. At restaging after 3 months, 2 out of 3 patients had a partial response, which is in line with expectations. With the second dose cohort now fully recruited, Affimed anticipates to provide a further update on the study in the first half of 2017.