MET is a gene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated upon binding with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, or Scatter Factor). Specifically, MET is a Continue reading
Tag Archives: BMS
Recent immune checkpoint study failures do not dampen enthusiasm for the future
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are simply cancer wonder drugs about which we are learning more each day. Because they don’t work optimally in many patients and some even hyper-progress, the goal is to determine ways to expand their effectiveness to more patients. As such, the number of clinical studies with checkpoints and checkpoint combinations continues to grow.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors act by blocking the abrogating phase of the immune response that is necessary to prevent autoimmune disease – by prolonging the immune response against cancer, a more robust and prolonged immune response, which is required for effective cancer therapy, is achieved with checkpoint therapy. Continue reading
NLRP3 and STING enhance immune attack on cancer
Bristol Myers (BMS) acquired IFM Therapeutics for $300 MM up-front and up to $1.01 billion in contingent payments on the first two products from the NLRP and STING (STimulator of INterferon Genes) pre-clinical programs. IFM focuses on the innate immune system, which is the first line of immunological defense, whereas, BMS’ immune-oncology program (most notably featuring Yervoy and Opdivo, checkpoint inhibitors of CTLA4 and PD-1) has largely centered on the adaptive immune system. IFM is developing small molecule agonists that target the innate immune response within the tumor microenvironment. Continue reading
BMS and PsoOxus collaborate on transgenic oncolytic virus plus nivolumab
BMS paid PsiOxus $50MM upfront for exclusive rights to develop PsiOxus’ NG-348 enadenotucirev, a systemically administered oncolytic adenovirus therapeutic, in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Immuno-Oncology checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo (nivolumab) to treat a range of solid tumor types in late-stage cancer patients. This is a “big deal” – PsiOxus could receive up to $886 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones, plus sales royalties. Continue reading
Opdivo combined with novel IL-2 prodrug immune stimulant
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Nektar Therapeutics announced a collaboration in which BMS’ PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor (Opdivo, nivolumab) will be combined with Nektar;s CD-122 agonist NKTR-214. Continue reading
Bristol Myers Acquire Cormorant for Anti-IL-8 Cancer Drug
BMS (Bristol Myers Squibb) acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Cormorant, the private, Stockholm-based biotech company developing HuMax-IL8, for $520MM. HuMax-IL8, which is currently in Phase I/II trials, is a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-8 (IL-8), a protein is expressed by many solid tumors. IL-8 also suppresses the immune system and increases the ability of tumors to metastasize. Continue reading
Second Multiple Myeloma Antibody Approved – Empliciti
Elotuzumab (Empliciti) is now the second monoclonal antibody (Mab) approved by the FDA for multiple myeloma (MM). Darzalex (daratumumab), the first Mab for MM, was approved by the FDA just 3 weeks ago. Continue reading
Cancer Immunotherapy – Combining Anti-CCR4 & Anti-PD-1; and CEACAM1 (TIM-3)
A collaboration between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Kyowa Hakko Kirin to test a combination of Kyowa’s Poteligeo (mogamulizumab), an anti-CCR4 antibody, and BMS’ Opdivo (nivolumab) in a Phase I/II trial in advanced or metastatic solid tumors was announced. Also, Merck announced the acquisition of cCAM Biotherapeutics for $605MM for its CM-24 monoclonal antibody that target CEACAM1. Continue reading