Bristol-Myers Squibb Company has announced a new clinical research collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. to evaluate Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Immuno-Oncology (I-O) agent Opdivo (nivolumab) and Janssen’s Live Attenuated Double–Deleted (LADD) Listerial monocytogenes cancer immunotherapy, expressing mesothelin and EGFRvIII (JNJ-64041757), in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

Opdivo is a human antibody designed to alleviate immune suppression. JNJ-64041757 is designed to induce the local recruitment and activation of innate and adaptive effector cells and expansion of mesothelin-specific T cells. The Phase 2 clinical trial will evaluate the tolerability and clinical activity of the combination of these agents in NSCLC patients. 

“We are excited to collaborate with Janssen as we explore how the emerging science of antigen-presentation therapeutics, in combination with Opdivo, can potentially provide a new treatment approach for patients with lung cancer,” said Jean Viallet, M.D., Global Clinical Research Lead, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. 

Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world in July 2014, and currently has regulatory approval in 54 countries including the United States, Japan, and in the European Union. 

JNJ-64041757 (previously referred to as ADU-214) is an antigen-presentation therapeutic, based on Live Attenuated Double-Deleted (LADD) Listeria monocytogenes strains engineered to induce an immune response against NSCLC tumors. It is currently in Phase 1 clinical development for lung cancer. Opdivo is indicated for the treatment of patients with NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.