OX40-boosted Keytruda shows stronger responses in Inhibrx phase 2 HNSCC trial

Inhibrx reports phase 2 HexAgon results showing INBRX-106, a hexavalent OX40 agonist, added to Merck’s Keytruda, doubling the objective response rate to 44% vs 21.4% for Keytruda alone in treatment‑naïve, high PD-L1 HNSCC (CPS ≥20), with three complete responses in the combo arm. Progression-free survival data will be shared in Q4, and a phase 3 study is planned for Q3, with expansion into NSCLC and other combinations on the roadmap. Reuters‑reported interest from Merck and others could fuel takeover talks if data remain favorable.