Bristol-Myers Squibb and Calibr announce fibrotic disease collaboration

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced a new research collaboration with the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr).

The deal will see the organisations working together to develop novel small molecule anti-fibrotic therapies. It also includes an exclusive license agreement allowing Bristol-Myers Squibb to develop, manufacture and commercialise preclinical compounds resulting from the collaboration.

Fibrosis is a key strategic area of focus for Bristol-Myers Squibb, which hoped to identify new medicines that can halt or slow the progress of the disease in a way that improves upon the current standard of care.

Calibr will be an ideal partner due to its expertise in identifying and optimising anti-fibrotic small molecules via its high-throughput screening, target identification and preclinical drug discovery infrastructure.

Dr Carl Decicco, head of discovery at Bristol-Myers Squibb's research and development unit, said: "Bristol-Myers Squibb's collaboration with Calibr further strengthens our specialty portfolio and advances the company's fibrotic diseases pipeline with the addition of this promising programme."

Last month, the firm agreed an alliance with Ono Pharmaceutical and Kyowa Hakko Kirin, which will assess the anti-cancer applications of a new combination of Opdivo and mogamulizumab.