By Colin Kellaher

Evaxion Biotech A/S on Monday said it plans a Phase 2b study of EVX-01, its lead product candidate, in combination with Merck & Co.'s blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda in patients with the skin cancer melanoma.

The Copenhagen biotechnology company said it will be responsible for conducting the study, which it expects to launch by the end of the year, while Merck will supply all of the necessary Keytruda and will continue to collaborate as the study data mature.

Evaxion said the planned multicenter trial will enroll patients with metastatic stage III and stage IV melanoma.

Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-25-21 0613ET