Bristol-Myers, DTMI establish strategic research partnership

Initially, DTMI will work with BMY on the clinical development of BMS-986202, an orally available lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor antagonist under investigation to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The cross-organizational team will co-develop and co-implement the protocol for a Phase II study that is expected to begin in late 2012, and will undertake biomarker validation studies, the companies said.

Future projects could include advancing investigational drugs into proof-of-concept studies, enrolling in trials and developing disease educational programs.

A joint steering committee of functional leaders and scientists will analyse the partnership, identify the points of intersection, and prioritize projects.

Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D president, chief scientific officer and executive vice president said this partnership will allow the organizations to collaborate on projects involving all phases of research, development and disease education.