Research collaboration formed to evaluate therapy for advanced solid tumours

Biopharmaceutical companies, AbbVie and Bristol-Myers Squibb, have announced the formation of a clinical research collaboration to evaluate a combination therapeutic regimen for the treatment of advanced solid tumours.

The collaboration will assess the potential of combining AbbVie’s investigational antibody drug conjugate ABBV-399 and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo (nivolumab) for the treatment of c-Met overexpressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

“Cancer remains one of the most challenging medical conditions for patients and physicians,” said Dr Tom Hudson, vice president, oncology early discovery and development, AbbVie. “Therapeutic advances continue to be achieved every day and we are committed to exploring the potential of our investigational compounds with other approved treatments with the goal to deliver a significant impact to patients.”

“We continue to explore the potential of novel combinations of medicines with Opdivo, and AbbVie's investigational treatments will help evaluate the role of new targets in combination with immunotherapy,” said Dr Fouad Namouni, head of development, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We look forward to continuing to partner our PD1 with AbbVie's early- and late-stage assets as a possible treatment option for patients with lung cancer.”

Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.