BMS Acquires Turning Point Therapeutics for Over $4 Billion to Expand Precision Oncology Pipeline with Breakthrough NSCLC Therapy Repotrectinib

Recently, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Turning Point Therapeutics jointly announced that they have reached an agreement whereby Bristol-Myers Squibb will spend more than $4 billion to acquire Turning Point Therapeutics. Turning Point is committed to developing precision therapies targeting common mutations associated with cancer. The company’s leading investigational therapy, repotrectinib, is a potential “best-in-class” next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), targeting ROS1 and NTRK gene alterations that drive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other advanced solid tumors.

Repotrectinib has a unique structure and binds to the target protein at a site within the "ATP pocket," making it unaffected by various resistance mutations. This precision therapy has received three Breakthrough Therapy designations from the U.S. FDA for treating patients with advanced solid tumors harboring NTRK gene fusions, as well as different populations of ROS1-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Zai Lab, based in China, holds exclusive development and commercialization rights in Greater China. It was also recently granted Breakthrough Therapy designation in China for ROS1-positive metastatic NSCLC patients who have not received prior ROS1 inhibitor treatment.

▲Introduction to Repotrectinib (Image Source: Turning Point Therapeutics official website)

Recently announced clinical trial results from the company showed that in the cohort of TKI-naive ROS1-positive NSCLC patients (n=71), the confirmed objective response rate (cORR) was 79%, with 4 patients (6%) achieving complete response (CR) and 52 patients (73%) achieving partial response (PR). At a median follow-up time of nearly 10 months, the estimated duration of response rate and progression-free survival rate at 12 months were 85% and 82%, respectively.

▲Efficacy results of Repotrectinib in TKI-naive ROS1-positive NSCLC patients (Image source: Turning Point Therapeutics official website)

Bristol-Myers Squibb stated that the durability of repotrectinib's efficacy has differentiated characteristics. The company expects repotrectinib to be approved in the United States in the second half of 2023. In addition, Turning Point Therapeutics has a series of promising innovative precision therapies in its R&D pipeline, and Bristol-Myers Squibb will also explore their potential.

▲Turning Point's R&D Pipeline (Image Source: Turning Point Therapeutics Official Website)

"Since the company's inception, we have leveraged our deep scientific expertise to develop a promising precision oncology R&D pipeline," said Dr. Athena Countouriotis, President and CEO of Turning Point Therapeutics. "Combined with Bristol-Myers Squibb's strength in oncology and capabilities in commercialization and manufacturing, we will be able to further accelerate the pace of bringing innovative medicines to cancer patients around the world."

References:

[1] Bristol Myers Squibb to Acquire Turning Point Therapeutics, a Leading Precision Oncology Company. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://news.bms.com/news/corporate-financial/2022/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-to-Acquire-Turning-Point-Therapeutics-a-Leading-Precision-Oncology-Company/default.aspx

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