Bristol Myers Squibb has played a central role in some of the most significant developments in cancer treatment, including pioneering the first immune checkpoint inhibitor, Yervoy (ipilimumab), more than 10 years ago.
With Yervoy, researchers focused on the inhibition of a specific immune checkpoint, CTLA-4, to harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer. This novel approach launched a new class of cancer therapies, including our PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo (nivolumab). Building upon this expertise, we developed the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved combination of two immunotherapy agents–Opdivo plus Yervoy.
Today, immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved how numerous cancers are treated, making long-term survival possible for more patients. As profound as these advances are, we know patients could benefit from more innovation.