Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

BMY’s Relatlimab—(anti-LAG-3)—impresses_in_first-line_melanoma:

https://investors.bms.com/iframes/press-releases/press-release-details/2021/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Announces-LAG-3-Blocking-Antibody-Relatlimab-and-Nivolumab-Fixed-Dose-Combination-Significantly-Improves-Progression-Free-Survival-vs.-Opdivo-nivolumab-in-Patients-with-Previously-Untreated-Metastatic-or-Unresectable-Melanoma/default.aspx

Bristol Myers Squibb today announced results from the Phase 2/3 RELATIVITY-047 trial, which showed that the fixed-dose combination of relatlimab, a LAG-3-blocking antibody, and nivolumab, administered as a single infusion, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful progression-free survival (PFS) benefit compared to Opdivo (nivolumab) alone in patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable melanoma.

This is the first regimen to demonstrate a statistical benefit over anti-PD-1 monotherapy in metastatic melanoma. Among patients treated with the combination, the median PFS (mPFS) was significantly longer at 10.12 months (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 6.37-15.74) vs. 4.63 in those who received Opdivo (95% CI: 3.38–5.62); (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62-0.92, p=0.0055). The PFS benefit of the fixed-dose combination was observed early, at the time of the first scan, and was consistent over time. In exploratory, descriptive analyses, the combination of relatlimab and nivolumab extended PFS regardless of pre-specified subgroups and stratification factors.

…The safety profile of the fixed-dose combination of relatlimab and nivolumab was manageable and consistent with those previously reported for relatlimab and nivolumab. No new safety signals or new types of clinically important events were identified with the fixed-dose combination when compared to Opdivo monotherapy. Grade 3/4 drug-related adverse events were 18.9% in the combination arm compared to 9.7% in the Opdivo arm. [The Opdivo/Yervoy combination in this setting had a Grade-3/4 rate of about 60%.]

… RELATIVITY-047 (CA224-047) is a global, randomized, double-blind Phase 2/3 study evaluating the fixed-dose combination of relatlimab and nivolumab in patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable melanoma versus Opdivo alone. The primary endpoint of the trial is progression-free survival (PFS) by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) and the secondary endpoints are overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). A total of 714 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive a fixed-dose combination of relatlimab 160 mg and nivolumab 480 mg or Opdivo 480 mg by intravenous infusion every four weeks until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent. Follow-up for the secondary endpoints of OS and ORR is ongoing and the Company remains blinded.

In this setting, Relatlimab + Opdivo may offer efficacy similar to Opdivo + Yervoy with much less toxicity.

BMY reported on 3/25/21 (#msg-162784750) that this trial (RELATIVITY-047) met its PFS primary endpoint, but no further details were available until now.