BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb Form Global Partnership to Develop and Market Bispecific Antibody BNT327 for Solid Tumours
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
BioNTech SE and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) have entered into a global strategic partnership to co-develop and co-commercialise BNT327, an experimental bispecific antibody being developed for the treatment of various solid tumours.
BNT327 is a next-generation antibody designed to target both PD-L1 and VEGF-A, two well-established cancer-related proteins. It is currently being studied in several clinical trials, with over 1,000 patients treated so far. These include Phase 3 trials evaluating BNT327 as a first-line therapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A Phase 3 trial in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is also planned to begin by the end of 2025.
The agreement allows both companies to jointly develop and commercialise BNT327. They will explore its use as a stand-alone treatment and in combination with other therapies. Both parties also retain the right to study the antibody further in other types of cancer and combinations, including with their own drug candidates.
Financially, BMS will make an upfront payment of $1.5 billion to BioNTech and an additional $2 billion in guaranteed payments through 2028. BioNTech may also receive up to $7.6 billion in performance-related milestones linked to development, regulatory approvals, and commercial achievements. Development and manufacturing costs will be shared equally, as will profits and losses from global sales.
BNT327 is designed to combine two immune-based strategies into one treatment. It blocks PD-L1 to help immune cells recognise and attack cancer, while also neutralising VEGF-A to disrupt blood supply to tumours and reduce the immune-suppressive environment around them. The dual action aims to enhance the treatment’s precision and reduce unwanted effects outside the tumour area. It is also hoped that BNT327 will improve the performance of other therapies when used in combination.
Currently, over 20 clinical trials are active or planned to test BNT327 either on its own or alongside other treatments in more than 10 types of solid tumours. Among them are three global trials with potential for regulatory approval – targeting SCLC, NSCLC, and TNBC. Further studies will investigate combinations with BioNTech’s antibody-drug conjugates.
If successful, BNT327 could serve as a core treatment approach in immuno-oncology, supporting a broad range of combination therapies aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Source: globenewswire.com
