Erasca Strikes Merck Pact to Combine ERAS-0015 with Keytruda in Phase 1 Trial
ERAS•Erasca has entered a trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck to test its pan-RAS molecular glue ERAS-0015 plus pembrolizumab in the AURORAS-1 Phase 1 study in RAS-mutant solid tumors. Early dose escalation showed favorable safety, linear pharmacokinetics and unconfirmed partial responses at ERAS-0015 doses as low as 8 mg.
1. Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Terms
Erasca has signed a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck to evaluate its oral pan-RAS molecular glue ERAS-0015 in combination with pembrolizumab. Erasca will sponsor the AURORAS-1 Phase 1 proof-of-concept study in RAS-mutant solid tumors, while Merck will supply pembrolizumab at no cost.
2. Early Phase 1 Dose Escalation Data
Initial dose escalation in AURORAS-1 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability, well-behaved linear pharmacokinetics, and both confirmed and unconfirmed partial responses across multiple RAS-mutant tumor types at doses as low as 8 mg once daily. These findings support further exploration of the combination’s therapeutic potential.
3. Strategic Implications for Erasca
The collaboration with a leading PD-1 therapy provider accelerates Erasca’s strategy to address RAS-driven cancers and overcome immunosuppressive resistance mechanisms. With approximately 2.7 million RAS-mutant tumor diagnoses worldwide each year, success in this study could position ERAS-0015 as a best-in-class pan-RAS inhibitor.
