A new collaboration agreement signed between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Enterome SA will focus on immuno-oncology in order to discover and develop innovative microbiome-derived biomarkers, drug targets and bioactive molecules. According to the companies, the new products shall represent potential companion diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer. The identification of novel microbiome-derived biomarkers in an effort to improve clinical outcomes for patients treated with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immuno-oncology portfolio is another target of the collaboration. Enterome’s proprietary metagenomic technology platform and BMS’s expertise in the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies will act synergistic to achieve the final goal of the project.
Under the terms of the agreement, BMS will be granted exclusive rights to intellectual property and therapies generated during the collaboration. Enterome will receive an upfront payment of $ 15 million for access to its technology plus R&D funding. The company is also eligible to receive preclinical and clinical milestone payments for each licensed therapeutic candidate plus royalties on net sales. According to the companies, additional milestone payments are possible in relation to new diagnostic products discovered and developed during the collaboration.