Ipilimumab - Next gen biotech blockbusters

Drug: Ipilimumab
Company: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medarex

Scoop: Ipilimumab is a fully human anti CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody that BMS is testing as a treatment for metastatic melanoma and other cancers, including prostate and lung cancers. The drug was originally slated for submission this year, but BMS and Medarex announced in April that they would delay filing a BLA for the drug after the FDA requested additional overall survival data on the drug. Pfizer is also developing an anti CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody--called tremelimumab--but the company recently halted a Phase III trial of the drug after researchers concluded it was no more effective than standard chemotherapy. Analysts say either ipilimumab or tremelimumab could have a significant impact on the melanoma market if approved.

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