Bristol-Myers Squibb and CytomX announce immuno-oncology collaboration

US drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and privately-held US biotech firm CytomX Therapeutics have signed a worldwide research collaboration and license agreement covering novel therapies against multiple immuno-oncology targets using CytomX’s proprietary Probody platform.

Probodies are monoclonal antibodies that are selectively activated within the cancer microenvironment, focusing the activity of therapeutic antibodies to tumors and sparing healthy tissue. The selectivity of Probodies expands the therapeutic window for both validated and novel targets, and has the potential to create multiple new classes of safer and more effective therapies.

Francis Cuss, B-MS’s executive vice president and chief scientific officer, said: “Immuno-oncology offers a tremendous opportunity to change how cancer is treated, and Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to advancing our immuno-oncology drug research and development for patients living with the disease. The Probody Platform has the potential to broaden discovery of innovative therapies, and the collaboration with CytomX reflects our continued leadership in immuno-oncology.”