Bristol-Myers Squibb partners with Compugen to trial COM701 and Opdivo combination for advanced solid tumors

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMS) latest clinical partnership with Israeli company Compugen is set to explore the efficacy of combining its leading cancer drug Opdivo (nivolumab) with Compugen’s COM701 in the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

This collaboration will evaluate the combination of COM701, an anti-PVRIG antibody under investigation by Compugen, with Opdivo, a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor developed by BMS. The combined treatment will be assessed in a two-part Phase 1 clinical trial currently funded by Compugen. The trial will focus on four specific tumor types: non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Fouad Namouni, Head of Development, Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb, emphasized the aim of the collaboration, stating:

“Our goal is to evaluate whether the innovative combination of COM701 with Opdivo is safe and active in various tumor types. We look forward to building a strong collaboration with Compugen and addressing significant unmet needs.”

Through this collaboration, both companies are also exploring the future potential of combining COM701 with other immune checkpoint inhibitors, including TIGIT, to enhance the therapeutic efficacy. This move reflects BMS’s strategy to investigate the biological rationale behind the PVRIG pathway and its synergistic potential demonstrated in preclinical models.

Anat Cohen-Dayag, President and CEO of Compugen, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:

“We are excited to have Bristol-Myers Squibb, the global leader in immuno-oncology, as a collaborator and strategic investor in Compugen. This collaboration gives Compugen access to Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo, enabling the evaluation of COM701 plus a PD-1 inhibitor and potentially accelerating the timeline for clinical testing of COM701 as part of other novel combinations.”

In addition to the clinical trial, Bristol-Myers Squibb will invest $12 million in Compugen. This investment underscores BMS’s commitment to advancing cancer treatment through innovative combinations and highlights the potential of the COM701 and Opdivo partnership in overcoming significant challenges in oncology.

Opdivo, a prominent drug in Bristol-Myers Squibb’s portfolio, targets the PD-1/PD-L1 proteins involved in the immune response against cancer cells. By inhibiting this pathway, Opdivo aims to restore an anti-tumor immune response, enhancing the body’s ability to combat cancer.