Daiichi Sankyo has entered a research collaboration to assess its investigational antibody drug conjugate (ADC) DS-8201 in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMS) Opdivo (nivolumab) in a Phase Ib clinical trial to treat HER2-expressing metastatic breast and urothelial (bladder) cancers.

Developed using ADC technology, DS-8201 features a humanised HER2 antibody attached through a tetrapeptide linker to a new topoisomerase I inhibitor (DXd) payload.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

After its release into the cell, the smart chemotherapy is intended to destroy cancer cells and minimise systemic exposure to the cytotoxic payload.

Designed to leverage the body’s immune system to restore anti-tumour immune response, Opdivo is an immune checkpoint inhibitor of programmed death-1 (PD-1).

"Developed using ADC technology, DS-8201 features a humanised HER2 antibody attached through a tetrapeptide linker to a new topoisomerase I inhibitor (DXd) payload."

Estimated to begin enrolment in the US and Europe in the first quarter of next year, the multicentre, open-label trial will include a dose escalation part and a dose expansion part.

See Also:

Daiichi Sankyo oncology research and development executive vice-president and global head Antoine Yver said: “We are excited to evaluate if the combination of these two mechanisms of action – the ability of an anti-PD-1 to harness the immune system and the potential of DS-8201 to deliver chemotherapy directly to target cancer cells – may be able to improve the outcomes of patients with HER2-expressing advanced breast and bladder cancer.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The trial’s dose escalation part will focus on the determination of a possible recommended dose of DS-8201, to be given in combination with Opdivo to HER2-expressing breast cancer patients who are refractory to conventional therapies or who do not have a standard therapy.

During the dose expansion part, the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the combination at the determined dose level will be investigated in HER2-expressing advanced / metastatic breast cancer patients and in previously chemotherapy-treated subjects with HER2-expressing urothelial cancer.