Bristol-Myers Squibb Partners with Celgene to Test Cancer Combo
Celgene and Bristol-Myers Squibb have founded a clinical trial alliance for a potential new cancer combination therapy.
As part of the alliance, the two companies will conduct a Phase I clinical study to assess the safety, tolerability and early efficacy of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s investigational PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo and Celgene’s chemotherapy Abraxane.
The clinical trial is expected to commence during the fourth quarter of 2014, and will be conducted by Celegene. The study will examine multiple tumour types, including pancreatic cancer, HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Michael Giordano, senior VP for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s oncology development, commented that “through this collaboration, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene will work together to advance the science and understanding of how the body’s own immune system and chemotherapy might work together to fight cancer.”
The two organisations are hoping that the combination will result in a greater anti-tumour response than having either agent by itself.
Further details on the partnership have not been disclosed.