Bristol Myers Squibb and BioNTech have entered into a partnership to co-develop and co-commercialise BNT327, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A.

As part of the agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb will provide up to $1.5 billion in upfront payments to BioNTech. BNT327, which BioNTech acquired through its $800 million purchase of Chinese biotech Biotheus in late 2024, is currently in Phase 3 trials for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers, with over 1,000 patients already treated. A Phase 3 trial for triple-negative breast cancer is expected to launch by the end of 2025. This collaboration marks BioNTech’s expansion into therapeutic areas beyond mRNA, while enhancing Bristol Myers Squibb’s immuno-oncology portfolio, which includes treatments like Opdivo and Breyanzi.