Array BioPharma and Bristol-Myers Squibb Announce Strategic Collaboration

Array BioPharma and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced the companies have entered into a clinical research collaboration to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Array’s investigational MEK inhibitor, binimetinib in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) and Opdivo + Yervoy (ipilimumab) regimen as a potential treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in patients with microsatellite stable tumors.

“Array is pleased to announce this new collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb,” said Ron Squarer, CEO Array BioPharma. “Based on emerging data, we believe that studying combinations of targeted therapies, such as binimetinib, with immuno-oncology agents, such as Opdivo and Yervoy, could provide important scientific advances for patients fighting cancer.”

“Colorectal cancer remains a challenging tumor where immunotherapy benefits have been limited to a subset of patients,” said Fouad Namouni, M.D. head of Oncology Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We are committed to investigating a wide range of oncology therapies, and look forward to studying the combination of Array’s MEK inhibitor and our immunotherapies with the goal of developing more treatment options for patients.”

The Phase 1/2 study is expected to establish recommended dose regimens for further study and explore the preliminary anti-tumor activity of combining binimetinib with Opdivo, as well as binimetinib in combination with the Opdivo + Yervoy regimen. Results from this first study, which is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2017, will be used to determine optimal approaches to further clinical development of these combinations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Array and Bristol-Myers Squibb will jointly support the study with Array acting as the sponsor.