Bristol-Myers Squibb’s nivolumab rated as promising by MHRA

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced that its new melanoma therapy nivolumab has been granted Promising Innovative Medicine status by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The investigational PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, which is designed for the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic or unresectable melanoma, has been deemed to potentially offer significant advantages over other medicines.

It is the the only PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor with this status, thanks to results from two Phase III clinical studies demonstrating its superiority and favourable safety profile compared to chemotherapy.

Designation as a Promising Innovative Medicine is the first stage in the UK government's Early Access to Medicines Scheme, which provides patients with easier access to vital therapies.

Johanna Mercier, general manager for Bristol-Myers Squibb in the UK and Ireland, said: "We will now work closely with the NHS to ensure all those eligible are able to benefit from this breakthrough treatment as soon as possible."

Last week, the company announced that it will be partnering with the California Institute for Biomedical Research on a worldwide research collaboration to develop novel small molecule anti-fibrotic therapies.