Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bayer team up on Opdivo-Stivarga combo in colorectal cancer

Fiercepharma | July 18, 2019

Bristol-Myers Squibb is out to expand the pool of colorectal cancer patients it can treat with Opdivo and its bringing in Bayer to help. The two companies, along with Bristol partner Ono Pharmaceutical, have joined forces in a clinical pact to test the immuno-oncology star alongside Bayers Stivarga in patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer, which represents about 95% of cases. The companies stayed tight-lipped on the collaboration’s terms, but they did note that they’ll be plotting an indication-seeking trial for the drug duo. Right now, Opdivo bears a green light to treat a sliver of the colorectal cancer patient population. Nearly two years ago, the FDA gave the treatment a go-ahead in those with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer, a rare tumor type that makes sufferers less likely to respond to conventional chemo. In the broader colorectal cancer group, though, “I-O monotherapy treatment approaches have shown limited activity,” Bristol noted, “thus, the need for additional treatment options including combination approaches remains high.” Meanwhile, while Stivarga already has an OK for previously treated colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, it too could benefit from another indication in the disease. While its sales grew overall in 2018, in the U.S., sales declined thanks to “a highly competitive market environment.” Its competition in colorectal cancer includes Otsuka’s Lonsurf, another drug for previously treated patients whose cancer has spread.

Spotlight

Bluepharma, a Portuguese pharmaceutical company, has just opened a state-of-the-art industrial unit specialized in the production of oral solid high potent drugs, namely in the oncology area.

Spotlight

Bluepharma, a Portuguese pharmaceutical company, has just opened a state-of-the-art industrial unit specialized in the production of oral solid high potent drugs, namely in the oncology area.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH

Xtalpi Partners with Singapore's Drug Discovery Platform to Find Better Cancer Treatments

XtalPi Inc. | December 29, 2022

One of the pioneering pharmaceutical technology companies - XtalPi, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, has recently announced a strategic collaboration with Singapore's national platform for drug discovery and development, the Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), which is hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research of Singapore (A*STAR). The goal of this partnership is to find novel treatment candidates for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). “According to Research and Markets, the size of the global market for NSCLC treatments will surpass USD 20 billion by 2027” Lung cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. NSCLC accounts for more than 80% of all lung cancer occurrences, while its incidence continues to rise worldwide. Despite growing interest and investment in drug research, there is a substantial unmet demand for effective targeted therapeutic alternatives for NSCLC patients to improve outcomes. In this partnership, EDDC and XtalPi will work together to find promising candidates against an NSCLC target chosen by EDDC. XtalPi will use its AI technology, automation platform, and expert domain knowledge. It will also use quantum physics and an AI-driven platform to create and test millions of molecules for the De-novo drug design. Iterations will be used in its robotics-powered synthesis and testing lab to confirm and improve the predicted top-performing molecules with desirable drug properties. EDDC will give helpful information and data about the new NSCLC target, which will speed up the process of finding new drugs and carry the program forward. XtalPi said in a statement that it is delighted to work with EDDC. It intends to help people all over the world by using AI and automation to improve the speed, size, variety, and success rate of drug research and development. In line with this, EDDC stated that it is excited to collaborate with XtalPi to translate science and research into practical and targeted cancer therapies. Furthermore, EDDC is confident that this collaboration will accelerate the development of much-needed targeted therapies for NSCLC patients due to XtalPi's experience in AI and automation technologies. About XtalPi XtalPi is a quantum physics-based, AI-powered drug R&D firm aiming to improve the speed, scale, novelty, and success rate of drug discovery. To meet the needs of its clients and partners, the company has offices in China and the United States. Frost & Sullivan cites the company as one of the world's first AI-powered drug R&D companies, with an iterative feedback loop between dry and wet lab capabilities.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH

Avita Acquires Q Care Plus, Renames It Avita Care Solutions

Avita Care Solutions | January 10, 2023

PMQ Investors, LLC, the parent company of Avita, has acquired Q Care Plus, Inc. This community-focused care management solution offers stigma-free access to care via telehealth, focusing on telePrEP services. Meanwhile, the terms and conditions of the deal are yet to be revealed. "Bringing Avita and Q Care Plus together comes at a time when reducing health inequities among underserved populations is more critical than ever," said Avita Chief Executive Officer Michael Yount. He further added, "A multiyear pandemic, partisanship-based politics that limit health care rights, and long-standing stigma, fear, and discrimination against marginalized populations like the LGBTQ+ community have exacerbated existing obstacles to health care and created a host of new ones." (Source: PR Newswire) Avita can now broaden its commitment to a community care management strategy that eliminates obstacles for patients and covered entities throughout the care continuum due to its acquisition of Q Care Plus. The company promotes patients' and covered entity partners' capacity to acquire culturally competent LGBTQ+, HIV, PrEP, and sexual wellness care by providing comprehensive access to pharmacy services, 340B program administration, clinical care delivery, and digital health choices. Avita is transitioning to Avita Care Solutions in light of its recent growth. This brand will encompass Avita Pharmaceutical, the company's pharmacy services section, and AvitaCare Atlanta, its new Atlanta medical and primary care center and pharmacy previously owned by AbsoluteCare. There are no plans to rebrand Q Care Plus' digital health platforms. In 2023, Avita will start selling Q Care Plus under the Avita family of brands. About Avita Care Solutions Avita Care Solutions is committed to improving health equity by giving underserved communities comprehensive, caring, and all-inclusive health care and pharmacy services. Its strategy for managing care in the community makes it possible for patients and covered entities to eliminate barriers across the care continuum. Over 145,000 patients and 320+ covered organizations at 65+ locations benefit from Avita's community care management strategy, which includes pharmacy services, program administration, digital health, and clinical care delivery.

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PHARMACY MARKET, PHARMA TECH

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Maintains Exclusive Rights to Develop and Sell Zymeworks' Zanidatamab

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc and Zymeworks Inc. | December 28, 2022

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc and Zymeworks Inc. recently informed that the former has chosen to keep its exclusive rights to develop and sell Zymeworks' Zanidatamab in key markets, such as the U.S., Europe, and Japan, as part of the license and collaboration agreement made in October 2022. A pivotal trial in previously treated HER2-amplified biliary tract tumors (BTC) found that 41.3% (95% CI: 30.4, 52.8) of recruited patients with HER2-amplified and expressing (IHC2+ and 3+) illness achieved an objective response as judged by independent central review. The median response length was 12.9 months (95% CI: 5.95 to not attained). In this trial, Zanidatamab's safety profile was similar to what had been found in previous studies of monotherapy, while no new safety signals were found. Jazz Pharmaceuticals stated that the compelling top-line clinical data from the pivotal study in patients with BTC demonstrated the transformative potential of Zanidatamab. This big win gives the company more confidence that it can make this medicine better for cancer patients who have big unmet needs. Even though its main focus will be on the ongoing clinical trials for BTC and GEA, these data will add to the growing amount of evidence that Zanidatamab is effective against a wide range of HER2-expressing cancers. Zymeworks expressed that the collaboration with Jazz is going well, which will speed up the global development of Zanidatamab in many types of cancer and may give patients with hard-to-treat cancers and few treatment options access to a basic HER2-targeted drug. Jazz will pay Zymeworks $325 million to exercise its option to develop and sell Zanidatamab in all countries except Asia-Pacific in the fourth quarter of 2022. About Jazz Pharmaceuticals Jazz Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2003 and located in Dublin (Ireland), innovates to improve the lives of patients and their families. The company transforms biopharmaceutical discoveries into innovative medications to reimagine what's possible. About Zymeworks Zymeworks develops next-generation multifunctional biotherapeutics. Zanidatamab is a new Azymetric™ HER2-targeted bispecific antibody being examined in numerous Phase 1, Phase 2, and pivotal clinical trials globally as a targeted therapeutic option for patients with HER2-positive solid tumors. Zanidatamab Zovodotin (ZW49) is a bispecific antibody-drug combination in Phase 1 clinical development. It combines Zanidatamab's unique design and antibody framework with Zymeworks' ZymeLink™ linker-cytotoxin.

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