Janssen Biotech, Inc. has entered into a clinical study collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company to evaluate the combination of two immuno-oncology compounds in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The phase 2 clinical trial will evaluate the tolerability and clinical activity of the combination of Janssen's investigational immunotherapy JNJ-64041757 and Bristol-Myer Squibb's PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, Opdivo (nivolumab), in NSCLC patients.

JNJ-64041757 is an antigen-presentation therapeutic, based on Live Attenuated Double-Deleted (LADD) Listeria monocytogenes strains engineered to induce an immune response against NSCLC tumors. Janssen licensed JNJ-64041757 (previously referred to as ADU-214) and another compound, JNJ-64041809 (previously referred to as ADU-741), from Aduro Biotech, Inc., in 2014. Both are currently in phase 1 clinical development: JNJ-64041757 in lung cancer and JNJ-64041809 in prostate cancer. Opdivo is indicated for the treatment of patients with NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

"Cancer immunotherapy is a key aspect of our emerging lung cancer portfolio," said Matthew Lorenzi, Ph.D., vice president, Lung Cancer, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "This collaboration will help extend the clinical development of JNJ-64041757 while allowing us to gather data on the immune response triggered by the combination of these two innovative approaches."

The study will be conducted by Janssen.