Bristol-Myers Squibb announces positive four-year Nulojix data

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced positive new clinical trial data demonstrating the long-term efficacy of Nulojix, a product designed to help prevent organ rejection among transplant patients.

Four-year results from the long-term extensions of the Benefit and Benefit-EXT trials showed that the safety profile of the drug at year four was comparable to that measured after three years, while renal function benefits versus cyclosporine were also maintained.

Nulojix is the first selective T-cell costimulation blocker indicated for organ rejection prevention in adult Epstein-Barr virus seropositive patients receiving a kidney transplant, in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids.

It was approved for sale by the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2011.

Brian Daniels, senior vice-president for global development and medical affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "The results of these studies broaden our understanding of Nulojix and will help physicians in the transplant community make informed decisions about treatment options."

Last week, the company announced encouraging results from an early-phase trial of BMS-936558, a new multipurpose oncology compound.