Bicara Therapeutics (BCAX) said Saturday that preliminary data from a phase 1b study cohort evaluating a 750 milligram dose of its drug ficerafusp alfa weekly in combination with pembrolizumab was well-tolerated as a first-line treatment for human papillomavirus-negative recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The company said the dose showed a 57% overall response rate, with 10% achieving a completed response, and 29% of responsive patients showing at least 80% tumor shrinkage.

The company said data from the study advanced its dose-optimization strategy, putting it on track to declare an optimal dose in Q1.