Bristol-Myers Squibb and Daiichi Sankyo have partnered in a clinical trial to evaluate the combination of BMS’ immunotherapy, Opdivo (nivolumab), and Daiichi Sankyo’s investigational antibody drug conjugate (ADC), DS-8201, for treating breast cancer and urothelial (bladder) cancers. Opdivo is a blockbuster anti-cancer drug for BMS with 2016 sales of $3.77 billion.

In the US, Opdivo is indicated for treating BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma and BRAF V600 wild-type unresectable or metastatic melanoma as a single agent; unresectable or metastatic melanoma in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab); metastatic non-small cell lung cancer; advanced renal cell carcinoma; classical Hodgkin lymphoma; recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; and locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

DS-8201 is the lead investigational product in the ADC franchise of the Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise. Made with Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary ADC technology, DS-8201 is a chemotherapy comprised of a humanized HER2 antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload by a tetrapeptide linker designed to destroy cancer cells upon release and reduce systemic exposure to the cytotoxic payload (or chemotherapy), according to Daiichi Sankyo.

The study is expected to begin enrollment in first quarter of 2018 in the US and Europe. Under the agreement, Daiichi Sankyo will be the sponsor conducting the trial.

Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Daiichi Sankyo