Bristol Myers Squibb-Exelixis Highlight Three-Year Follow Up Data From Opdivo+Cabometyx Combo Therapy In Kidney Cancer - Exelixis (NASDAQ:EXEL), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY)

Bristol Myers Squibb & Co BMY and Exelixis Inc EXEL announced three-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -9ER Phase 3 trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Cabometyx (cabozantinib) in renal cancer.
The data demonstrated sustained survival and response rate benefits with the combination of Opdivo and Cabometyx (cabozantinib) versus sunitinib in the first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Additionally, a biomarker analysis showed sustained improvements in median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with the combination of Opdivo and CABOMETYX, regardless of PD-L1 status.
No new safety signals were seen with extended follow-up.
Treatment with Opdivo in combination with Cabometyx continued to show a 30% reduction in the risk of death and improvement in median overall survival (OS) vs. sunitinib (49.5 months vs. 35.5 months, respectively).
The median OS improved by 11.8 months since the previous data cut at 32.9 months median follow-up.
Progression-free survival (PFS) benefits were sustained, with the combination continuing to double median PFS vs. sunitinib (16.6 months vs. 8.4 months, respectively).
Objective response rate benefits were maintained, with nearly twice as many patients responding to Opdivo in combination with Cabometyx vs. sunitinib (55.7% vs. 28.4%).
Responses were more durable with the combination, with a median duration of response of 23.1 months compared to 15.2 months with sunitinib.
Complete response rates were also sustained, with 12.4% of those treated with Opdivo plus Cabometyx having a CR vs. 5.2% in the sunitinib arm.
Price Action: BMY shares are down 0.02% at $73.17, and EXEL shares are up 0.45% at $17.77 on the last check Tuesday.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs