An $11bn partnership between BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb has been signed.
Potential competition to a leading drug
The partnership involves the development of a cancer drug which could, potentially, beat the leading cancer drug, Keytruda.
Known as BNT327, the drug will be commercialised and developed by the US pharmaceutical giant, Bristol Myers Squibb, whilst the famous Germany pharmaceutical firm, BioNTech have been working on the drug for several years, after buying it from the Chinese group, Biotheus, for $950mn.
With signs of great potential, the drug threatens to overtake the greatly successful, Keytruda drug – which was the best selling drug globally in both 2023 and 2024.
Part of multiple trials
The drug is currently part of several trials including two late-stage studies.
A ‘bispecific’ engineered antibody – the drug can bond to two forms of cancer cell receptors simultaneously – a change from natural antibodies. This allows the drug to operate in a similar way to Keytruda and enables the immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells whilst inhibiting key proteins that promote tumour growth.
So far, the drug has shown efficacy in the long-term, the drug could be used to treat a plethora of different forms of cancer.
Reinvestment in oncology
Famous for it’s work on the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination – BioNTech has focussed it’s revenue from the vaccine on oncology and related drugs.
The firm is using the MRNA technology it utilised in the covid vaccine technology to create personalised drugs to target tumours. It utilises the technology to serve as a more targeted version of chemotherapy. They’re also looking at how different drugs can be combined to create an effective treatment against other forms of cancer.
Reports suggest that BioNTech and BMS will share the profits made by the drug equally and will target commercialising the drug in all global markets.
