Array BioPharma, a Boulder, Colorado-based biopharmaceutical company developing small-molecule anti-cancer therapies, and Bristol-Myers Squibb have entered into a clinical research collaboration to investigate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Array’s investigational MEK inhibitor, binimetinib, in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo + Yervoy (ipilimumab) regimen as a potential treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in patients with microsatellite stable tumors.

The Phase I/II study is expected to establish recommended dose regimens for further study and explore the preliminary anti-tumor activity of combining binimetinib with Opdivo, as well as binimetinib in combination with the Opdivo + Yervoy regimen. Results from this first study, which is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2017, will be used to determine optimal approaches to further clinical development of these combinations.

Under the agreement, Array and Bristol-Myers Squibb will jointly support the study with Array acting as the sponsor.

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.

Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb