Boehringer collaborates with Sarah Cannon to develop novel immune-oncology therapies

German family-owned pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into a strategic partnership with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute aimed at helping bring innovative cancer treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. No financial terms of the collaboration have been revealed.

The joint clinical development program will study Boehringer Ingelheim's BI 754091(anti- PD-1) and BI 754111 (anti-LAG 3) monoclonal antibodies for the combination treatment of multiple cancers with high unmet medical needs, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  BI 754091 and BI 754111 are immune checkpoint inhibitors designed to rally the patient's own immune system – which is often suppressed by the tumor – to fight cancer. As both compounds interact with the immune system at different points, the combination treatment approach is expected to result in better anti-tumor response, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients. Following preliminary findings, the collaboration could be expanded beyond the initial research focus.

"Clinical research is a critical component of finding more effective therapies for patients across different cancer types," said Howard "Skip" Burris, president, clinical operations and chief medical officer of Sarah Cannon, an oncology-focused contract research organization (CRO). "We are committed to advancing treatment options through more targeted methods for patients fighting cancer. By collaborating with Boehringer Ingelheim's oncology research teams, we can further our understanding of immunotherapies and bring these cutting-edge treatment options into the community more rapidly for patients," he added.