Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) and partner Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) have inked a deal to develop an investigational combination of the former’s antibody-drug conjugate, Adcetris and the latter’s immunotherapy, Opdivo.
The Adcetris-Opdivo combination therapy will be evaluated in two planned phase I/II studies. In the first study, Seattle Genetics will evaluate the combination for the treatment of patients suffering from relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.
The next study will be conducted by Bristol-Myers in patients suffering from relapsed or refractory B-cell and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Both studies are expected to begin in 2015. Financial details pertaining to the collaboration were not disclosed.
We note that Adcetris had received accelerated approval in the U.S. in Aug 2011 and conditional marketing authorization in the EU in Oct 2012 for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma or relapsed systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Opdivo injection received accelerated approval in the U.S. for intravenous use in patients suffering from unresectable or metastatic melanoma and disease progression following treatment with Yervoy and in patients who are BRAF V600 mutation positive following treatment with a BRAF inhibitor.
We are positive on Seattle Genetics’ collaboration with Bristol-Myers and expect the collaboration to boost Adcetris’ development prospects. Adcetris is the only approved candidate in Seattle Genetics’ franchise. Hence, successful development and commercialization of the combination therapy should bode well for the company.
Seattle Genetics holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXN) and Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB). While Alexion carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Biogen hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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