Nivolumab/Relatlimab

iStock/ Bulat Silvia More than a decade after Merck’s Keytruda and BMS’ Yervoy ushered in the immuno-oncology revolution, the space is at a crossroads, with experts highlighting novel targets, combinations and pre-emptive immunization as the next wave for IO. Last year marked 10 years since Keytruda’s seminal approval . That FDA greenlight signaled a new day in immuno-oncology and set the stage for the subsequent approvals of several more checkpoint inhibitors. Now, the field is looking for its next breakthrough—but it’s been a bumpy road. Overall, the immuno-oncology (IO) space “continues to be quite disappointing,” Graig Suvannavejh, senior biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology equity research analyst at Mizuho Americas, told BioSpace . “Industry is in search of that next great IO target, and they just haven’t been able to identify one that works.” In the last 15 years, the FDA has approved 11 checkpoint inhibitors — therapies targeting immune checkpoint proteins, including PD-1 and its partner protein PD-L1, plus CTLA-4 and LAG-3—to help the immune system locate and attack cancer cells. While Keytruda, an anti-PD-1, gets the most credit for having kickstarted the IO revolution, it was preceded by a CTLA-4 inhibitor called Yervoy, which BMS picked up in its $2.4 billion acquisition of Medarex in 2009. Two years later, the FDA approved Yervoy as the first anti-CTLA-4 drug. “That, really, along with the anti-PD-1s, kind of ushered in this whole immuno-oncology revolution,” Suvannavejh said. Jeremy Levin, now CEO of Ovid Therapeutics who was instrumental in BMS’ transformation to an immuno-oncology company in the aughts, agreed: “It became increasingly clear that there was science that said that this whole concept of immune modulation was beginning to evolve, and that CTLA-4 was breaking open the first concepts behind it.” Lately, however, the industry appears to have hit the proverbial therapeutic wall. But it’s not for a lack of trying, according to Christiana “Chris” Bardon, co-managing partner of MPM BioImpact. “When PD-1 was first released, we spent a lot of energy as an industry looking for the next PD-1 and we must have had tens of thousands of combinations of drugs in the clinic, testing everything with PD-1,” she told BioSpace . “Basically, we were looking for the next-generation IO checkpoint inhibitor.” But despite the emergence of more therapeutic options targeting the immune system, IO treatment response rates have plateaued at around 30%, Caroline Loew, CEO of Mural Oncology, wrote in a November 2024 opinion piece for BioSpace , meaning that 70% of patients do not respond to these therapies. “Despite the incredible efficacy of PD-1,” Bardon said, there is still a huge unmet need. “We still have many cancers that don’t respond to PD-1, things that are immunologically cold.” Striking Out With TIGITs Branching out has proven difficult, however. In the IO space, Suvannavejh said anti-TIGIT checkpoint therapies have been “probably the biggest disappointment” in the past two years. In December 2021, Roche ignited the field with promising results from the Phase II CITYSCAPE study of its anti-TIGIT drug tiragolumabin in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When combined with the company’s anti-PD-L1 blocker Tecentriq, tiragolumabin reduced the risk of disease worsening or death by 38% compared to Tecentriq alone. “I think the IO space was in kind of a low place about five years ago until Roche announced positive Phase II data for their TIGIT antibody,” he said. “All of a sudden, people were like, ‘oh my god, IO is back.” But in the Phase II/III data reported last year, the tiragolumab/Tecentriq combo failed to significantly improve progression-free and overall survival versus Keytruda and chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC and Roche elected to terminate that study. The excitement fizzled after that, Suvannavejh said. It was almost the nail in the coffin for TIGITs, or at least the buzz around the drug class. Seven months earlier, in December 2023, Merck had struck out in NSCLC with its experimental anti-TIGIT antibody vibostolimab when the candidate, in combination with Keytruda, failed to hit the endpoints in a mid-stage study. Recent results have breathed new life into the space, however. In September 2024, iTeos and GSK sparked excitement with Phase II results from patients with NSCLC taking a combination of iTeos’ anti-TIGIT candidate belrestotug and GSK’s anti-PD-1 therapy Jemperli. The combo elicited a 30% better confirmed objective response rate versus Jemperli alone. The partners are now studying the regimen as a first-line therapy for NSCLC in a Phase III trial . While it remains to be seen if TIGIT-targeting checkpoint inhibitors will reach the market, Bardon noted that the industry has seen some progress with drugs that hit CTLA-4 and LAG-3. In October 2022, the FDA greenlit AstraZeneca’s anti-CTLA-4 drug Imjudo, in combination with its first-generation PD-L1 inhibitor Imfinzi, for hepatocellular carcinoma, while the LAG-3 space saw its first approval in March of that year in BMS’ relatlimab (in combination with Opdivo and marketed as Opdualag) in unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Looking ahead, Bardon said ivonescimab—a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody in development by Summit Therapeutics, “is really the new . . . wave of checkpoint inhibitors.” “Ivonescimab has shown superiority to PD-1 alone, which is incredible,” she said. In September, Summit presented Phase III data at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer, showing that ivonescimab outperformed Keytruda in first-line advanced NSCLC. In the HARMONi-2 trial, Summit’s candidate cut the risk of disease progression or death by nearly 50% compared with Keytruda. While the results sent Summit’s stock skyrocketing by as much as 140%, some analysts urged caution , particularly noting that the data were from a trial run only in China. “Results may or may not be generalizable beyond the China-focused patient population initially assessed,” BMO Capital Markets wrote in an investor note at the time. Summit is currently studying ivonescimab in a multi-regional Phase III NSCLC study in the U.S. Bardon added that ivonescimab has the potential to work in multiple tumor types outside of lung cancer and predicted that it would be “a huge blockbuster in the future.” Pfizer appears to agree. Last week, the New York–based pharma struck a deal with Summit to combine its vedotin-based antibody-drug conjugates with ivonescimab. Part of the reason the industry has not been successful in developing checkpoint inhibitors “is that the development path is very, very hard,” Bardon said. One key challenge, she explained, is that most checkpoint therapies do not have monotherapy efficacy and therefore need to be developed in combination with PD-1 drugs. Definitive combination therapy can only be demonstrated in a comparator trial. “It’s just a very difficult and long path to de-risk the drug.” In this way, ivonescimab benefited from being created and developed in China, where there are faster enrollment times, limited treatment options and clinical trials are less expensive, Bardon said. Other IO targets of particular interest, Suvannavejh said, are PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma) and the “very complicated RAS pathway, which includes the commonly mutated KRAS.” “This is a pathway that people have been trying to target for decades,” Suvannavejh said. “[It is] very difficult to do, trying to get that mix of efficacy and safety.” Amgen and BMS already have KRAS drugs — Lumakras and Krazati —on the market for NSCLC. The developmental “darling” of this space, Suvannavejh said, is Revolution Medicines, whose daraxonrasib is currently in a registrational trial to treat cancers with a wide range of common RAS mutations. Other players include Eli Lilly, Immuneering Corporation and Erasca. IO Developments On the Horizon Levin indicated that the IO space is at a crossroads. “The first wave of immuno-oncology has passed us by,” he said. “We know what we know about it.” Biopharma’s appetite for IO is certainly understandable. For Merck, Keytruda brought in a cool $29.5 billion in global sales in 2024 and ranks among the best selling drugs of all time. With that drug going off patent in just a few years’ time, many companies are eager to grab more of a market that is projected to be worth more than $17 billion by 2032. So, how does biopharma catch the next wave? For Suvannavejh, the answer lies in identifying novel targets—potentially through artificial intelligence and machine learning. As an example, he offered Compugen , a Tel Aviv–based biotech that uncovered a previously unidentified checkpoint called PVRIG using its proprietary computational discovery platform. Compugen is currently studying the resulting asset, COM701 , in trials of ovarian, gastric and other cancers. “That’s what companies can do if they want to go down this path of like, hey, maybe there’s another checkpoint inhibitor that we just haven’t identified yet,” Suvannavejh said. Meanwhile, Levin said the current focus is on combination therapies. “The world teaches you this repeatedly for complex diseases,” he continued, citing childhood leukemia, hypertension and congestive heart failure as examples of where combinations have ultimately been the answer. However it’s done, Levin continued, the holy grail for IO is pre-emptively engaging the human body to defeat a cancer cell before it has even proliferated. “Immuno-oncology is the clue that you can do this,” he told BioSpace . “It says that you can absolutely galvanize the human tissue to reawaken attack on a cancer cell. The big question is, can you actually pre-emptively immunize us such that we can be ready for this?”

PRINCETON, NJ, USA I February 13, 2025 I Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the Phase 3 RELATIVITY-098 trial evaluating Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected stage III-IV melanoma did not meet its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival (RFS). The safety profile of Opdualag observed in this analysis was consistent with the known profiles of nivolumab and relatlimab. “We are disappointed in the outcome of the RELATIVITY-098 trial and that LAG-3 inhibition in the adjuvant setting did not lead to the same improved efficacy outcomes seen in advanced melanoma,” said Jeffrey Walch, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Opdualag global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Patients whose tumors are completely resected before treatment may not have sufficient antitumor T cells in place for Opdualag to have its maximal effect. However, Opdualag remains a standard of care in the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma, and we continue to explore its potential across tumor types, including in non-small cell lung cancer.” In adjuvant melanoma, Opdivo ® (nivolumab) remains a standard of care for adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma. Moreover, Opdivo Qvantig TM (nivolumab + hyaluronidase-nvhy), was recently approved in the U.S. as a subcutaneous option for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma. BMS thanks the patients, families and investigators for their contributions to this important clinical trial. About RELATIVITY-098 RELATIVITY-098 is a randomized Phase 3, double-blind study evaluating adjuvant immunotherapy with Opdualag, the fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab, compared to Opdivo monotherapy after complete resection of stage III-IV melanoma. The primary endpoint of the trial is recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and safety. About Opdualag Opdualag (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) is a first-in-class, fixed-dose, dual immunotherapy combination of the programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor nivolumab and the lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) blocking antibody relatlimab. With its approval by the FDA in 2022, Opdualag became the first LAG-3-blocking antibody containing combination to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. About LAG-3 Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) is a molecule found on the surface of several immune cell types including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and natural killer (NK) cells. LAG-3 inhibits the function of T cells and reduces the activation and growth of the cell on which it is found. This T-cell dysfunction allows tumors to avoid attack from the immune system and grow unchecked. Preclinical studies indicate that inhibition of LAG-3 may promote an anti-tumor response. Targeting both LAG-3 and PD-1 in combination may be a key strategy to help restore T cell activity, improving anti-tumor response in certain cancers that is greater than the effects of PD-1 monotherapy. Bristol Myers Squibb is evaluating relatlimab in clinical trials in combination with other agents in a variety of tumor types. About Melanoma Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. Metastatic melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease and occurs when cancer spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2035, melanoma incidence will reach 424,102, with 94,308 related deaths. Melanomas can be mostly treatable when caught in very early stages; however, survival rates can decrease as the disease progresses. INDICATION Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. NDICATIONS OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OPDIVO® (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, followed by single-agent OPDIVO® as adjuvant treatment after surgery. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine, is indicated as first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy. OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY . INDICATIONS OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), following treatment with intravenous nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy. Limitations of Use: OPDIVO QVANTIG is not indicated in combination with ipilimumab for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first- line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma following treatment with intravenous nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy. Limitations of Use: OPDIVO QVANTIG is not indicated in combination with ipilimumab for treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors >/=4 cm or node positive) non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, followed by single-agent OPDIVO QVANTIG as monotherapy in the adjuvant setting after surgical resection. OPDIVO QVANTIG ™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO QVANTIG. Limitations of Use: OPDIVO QVANTIG is not indicated in combination with ipilimumab for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase), as monotherapy, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Limitations of Use: OPDIVO QVANTIG is not indicated in combination with ipilimumab for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic ESCC. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) as monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy. OPDIVO QVANTIG™ (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO QVANTIG . Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research programs uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future. About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn , X , YouTube , Facebook and Instagram . SOURCE: Bristol Myers Squibb