AbbVie and Bristol-Myers to evaluate Rova-T and Opdivo combinations

US pharma majors AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) have entered into a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of AbbVie’s investigational biomarker-specific antibody drug conjugate Rova-T (rovalpituzumab tesirine) in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) and Opdivo + Yervoy (ipilimumab) regimen as a treatment for relapsed extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Both the Bristol-Myers drugs are already marketed and generated blockbuster sales. AbbVie obtained the rights to Rova-T through its $5.98 billion upfront (plus $4 billion contingent) acquisition of Stemcentrx. No financial terms of the accord have been released.

The Phase I/II clinical program will explore the potential of combining Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immuno-oncology agents, which are designed to alleviate immune suppression, in conjunction with AbbVie’s investigational antibody drug conjugate, Rova-T, to drive improved and sustained efficacy and tolerability above the current standard of care. Rova-T is a novel antibody drug conjugate that targets and eliminates tumor initiating cells and other bulk tumor cells. This collaboration will determine if the targeted cell killing and antigen release caused by Rova-T may further enhance the effect of immunotherapy.