Janssen and Bristol-Myers Squibb to assess new lung cancer therapy

Janssen has announced a new partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb to assess the potential benefits of a combination lung cancer therapy.

The clinical study collaboration agreement aims to evaluate the combination of two immuno-oncology compounds in patients with non-small cell lung cancer in a phase II trial.

It will look at the tolerability and clinical activity of the combination of Janssen's investigational immunotherapy JNJ-64041757 and Bristol-Myers Squibb's PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo, with further details on the design of the trial to be confirmed later this year.

JNJ-64041757 is an antigen-presentation therapeutic licensed by Janssen from Aduro Biotech in 2014, while Opdivo is an approved therapy option for patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose conditions have progressed despite platinum-based chemotherapy.

Dr Matthew Lorenzi, vice-president of Janssen's lung cancer research and development, said: "This collaboration will help extend the clinical development of JNJ-64041757 while allowing us to gather data on the immune response triggered by the combination of these two innovative approaches."

The company also announced last week that its immunotherapy Darzalex has been granted breakthrough therapy designation in the US for the treatment for multiple myeloma.