Bristol-Myers and Nektar to test Opdivo and NKTR-214 combo

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and  Necktar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today announced a new clinical collaboration to evaluate the US pharma major’s Opdivo (nivolumab) with Nektar’s investigational medicine, NKTR-214, as a potential combination treatment regimen in five tumor types and seven potential indications.

“We are excited to explore the potential benefits in multiple types of cancer of the combination of Opdivo with Nektar’s innovative cancer immunotherapy,” said Fouad Namouni, head of oncology development, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We believe that a combination regimen which utilizes two different and complementary mechanisms designed to harness the body’s own immune system to fight cancer has the potential to provide new treatment options for patients,” he added.

The Phase I/II clinical trials will evaluate the potential for the combination of Opdivo and NKTR-214 to show improved and sustained efficacy and tolerability above the current standard of care in melanoma, kidney, colorectal, bladder and non-small cell lung cancer patients.  An initial dose-escalation trial is underway with Opdivo and NKTR-214.