Bristol Myers Squibb and Exelixis announced that a Phase 3 trial evaluating BMS' Opdivo in combination with Exelixis' Cabometyx in advanced kidney cancer met its primary and secondary endpoints.
The CheckMate -9ER trial found that the BMS blockbuster, used in combination with the California-based drugmaker's Cabometyx significantly improved progression-free survival as well as overall survival in previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients in comparison to patients who received Pfizer's Sutent.
“Preliminary assessment of the data shows the combination of a 40mg dose of cabozantinib plus nivolumab demonstrated a favorable safety profile. If approved, this combination may become an important new first-line option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma," said Dr. Toni Choueiri, Director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Opdivo is already approved in combination with Bristol Myers' other immunotherapy, Yervoy, as an initial treatment for some kidney cancer patients. The latest trial is for a broader set of patients.
Read the press release