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news.AbbVie will evaluate its investigational antibody drug conjugate, ABBV-399 (telisotuzumab vedotin), in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotheraphy Opdivo (nivolumab) in c-Met overexpressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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The two companies have entered into a clinical research collaboration in this regard to assess the therapeutic regimen in NSCLC and potentially other advanced solid tumors in the future.
A phase 1b clinical study has been launched to know the potential of combining Opdivo with ABBV-399 in patients with advanced c-Met overexpressing NSCLC who failed one line of chemotherapy in the past. The trial sponsored by AbbVie will record the tolerability and potential efficacy of the combination.
AbbVie oncology early discovery and development vice president Tom Hudson said: “Cancer remains one of the most challenging medical conditions for patients and physicians.
“Therapeutic advances continue to be achieved every day and we are committed to exploring the potential of our investigational compounds with other approved treatments with the goal to deliver a significant impact to patients.”
According to AbbVie, ABBV-399 has been developed to alleviate immune suppression. The first-in-class anti-c-Met antibody drug conjugate targets c-Met-amplified and c-Met-overexpressing tumors.
Opdivo, on the other hand is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor which has been designed to help in restoring anti-tumor immune response in the body. The immunotheraphy is currently approved in over 60 countries including the US, the European Union, and Japan.
Bristol-Myers Squibb oncology development head Fouad Namouni said: “We continue to explore the potential of novel combinations of medicines with Opdivo, and AbbVie’s investigational treatments will help evaluate the role of new targets in combination with immunotherapy.
“We look forward to continuing to partner our PD1 with AbbVie’s early- and late-stage assets as a possible treatment option for patients with lung cancer.”
The partners did not disclose any specific terms of their clinical collaboration.
Image: AbbVie’s corporate headquarters in Lake Bluff, Illinois, US. Photo: courtesy of AbbVie Inc.