Bristol Myers Squibb to Acquire Forbius to Advance Clinical-Stage TGF-β1/3-Selective Inhibitor AVID200

Today, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Forbius jointly announced that they have reached a definitive agreement under which Bristol-Myers Squibb will acquire Forbius. Forbius is dedicated to developing a portfolio of highly selective and potent inhibitors of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3, key mediators of immunosuppression and fibrosis.

Under this agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will acquire Forbius’s TGF-β research and development program, including its lead investigational therapy, AVID200. AVID200 is a potent, subtype-selective TGF-β inhibitor capable of neutralizing the activity of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 at picomolar (pM) levels. Because TGF-β2 serves as a positive regulator of hematopoiesis and normal cardiac function, maintaining its physiological activity is essential. The ability of AVID200 to selectively target TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 makes it an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic candidate for fibrotic diseases and immuno-oncology. Selective inhibition of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 may enhance antitumor efficacy through synergistic effects with immunotherapies. Bristol-Myers Squibb initially intends to focus the development of AVID200 in oncology, while potentially considering expansion into other disease areas such as fibrosis.

▲Forbius’s R&D Pipeline (Image source: Forbius official website)

References:

[1] Bristol Myers Squibb Enters Agreement to Acquire Forbius, Adding Lead TGF-beta Asset to Portfolio. Retrieved August 24, 2020, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005159/en

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