BMS, Eisai Team Up To Accelerate Development Of Solid-Tumor ADC

Bristol Myers Squibb Companyexpanded its involvement in the cancer antibody-drug conjugate space on 17 June, announcing a partnership with Eisai Co., Ltd. around Phase I/II ADC MORAb-202, which is being studied in folate receptor alpha (FRɑ)-positive solid tumors. The US pharma is paying Eisai $650m up front under the deal, including $200m to cover the Japanese firm’s R&D expenses, getting rights to develop and co-commercialize the product in major geographies including the US, Europe and Asia.

The deal follows transactions in the past 12 months in which major oncology players such as Merck & Co., Inc., AstraZeneca PLC and Gilead Sciences, Inc. either...