Bristol-Myers Squibb recently announced it has entered a strategic research partnership and licensing agreement with the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, a world leading translational research institute focused on cancer, infectious diseases, mental health and a range of complex disorders, to discover and develop breakthrough antibody-based therapeutics against an undisclosed immuno-oncology (I-O) target. Bristol-Myers Squibb will take on full responsibility for clinical development and commercialization of antibodies resulting from this collaboration. Financial terms were not disclosed.

While surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have been the mainstay in cancer treatment for most patients, those fighting for survival from advanced stages of the disease require more adaptive treatments that do not take a toll on their quality of life. Bristol-Myers Squibb has been determined to be at the forefront of the emerging field of Immuno-Oncology and offer cancer patients worldwide more tailor-fit and effective treatments.

“Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to invest in strategic partnerships that accelerate the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies through innovative science and technologies,” said Carl Decicco, Ph.D., Head of Discovery, R&D, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We are excited to work with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, a partner that brings significant experience and expertise in cancer research.”

“QIMR Berghofer is committed to translational research, so it is gratifying when high quality research at the Institute results in the strategic collaboration announced today,” said Professor Frank Gannon, QIMR Berghofer Director and CEO. “Bristol-Myers Squibb is the ideal partner to progress these assets to the clinic, with their world-leading expertise in immuno-oncology and a proven track record developing multiple cancer therapies on the market. We look forward to a fruitful, long-term collaboration, delivering new therapies for cancer patients.”

The Pan Am Cancer Treatment Center, an institution committed to provide the latest, groundbreaking immunotherapies to patients battling cancer, recently announced the availability of ImmunoMax, a plant-derived, pharmaceutical grade polysaccharide that has demonstrated its ability to boost the activity of the body’s natural killer cells. The treatment is now available for advanced cancer patients who meet inclusion criteria.

ImmunoMax is not a new drug since it has been approved in Russia for the past 13 years as a treatment against viral and bacterial infections and has been reported to reduce PSA levels in prostate cancer patients.

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