Health Canada announced approval for Bristol Myers Squibb’s (NASDAQ:BMY) OPDIVO (nivolumab) 360 mg (injection for intravenous use) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles in adult patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the neoadjuvant setting.

The regulatory approval was based on CheckMate-816 study, which is a Phase 3 trial evaluating OPDIVO plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy in adult patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Troy André, General Manager, BMS Canada, commented: ”At BMS, we are driven to understand the complexities of cancer and are leveraging the latest science and technology to develop immunotherapies and combination therapies that push beyond what is currently available. We are committed to offering patients the possibility of a better life through treatment options that can make a difference earlier in the course of their disease.”

OPDIVO (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment is the rirst and-only immunotherapy-based treatment for use before surgery for non-small cell lung cancer in Canada.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both males and females in Canada, accounting for over 25 percent of cancer deaths, and Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer making up more than 85 percent of all cases.

Price Action : Bristol Myers shares are trading around 1.5 percent down at $73.49 on Tuesday at the time of publication.