BMS releases new Phase 2 data for BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb PD-L1xVEGF- a bispecific antibody pumitamig

BioNTech SE and Bristol Myers Squibb present their interim data from a global randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating pumitamig, an investigational bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 x VEGF-A, plus chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Note that data which are consistent with data presented at European Lung Cancer Congress 2025 from a Phase 2 trial conducted in China showed encouraging anti-tumor responses with a positive trend in the secondary endpoint progression free survival. Pumitamig plus chemotherapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile with no new safety signals and a low discontinuation rate.

“Small cell lung cancer is the most aggressive type of lung cancer with rapid growth, a poor prognosis and 5-year relative survival rate of just 5% in advanced stages.1,2,3 While approximately 60-70% of patients initially respond to current standard of care treatments, most progress within months after treatment signifying an urgent need for new treatment options which improve outcomes,” said John V. Heymach, M.D., Lead Investigator and Chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “The response rate and early progression free survival we are seeing in this interim analysis are encouraging and merit further investigation in a larger trial to validate pumitamig’s potential to offer patients more durable anti-tumor responses relative to current standard of care.”

“Every innovation we pursue starts with the needs of patients. These interim data for pumitamig presented today show encouraging signals for our science-driven approach to address two fundamental drivers of small cell lung cancer in one single molecule,” said Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at BioNTech. “Our ultimate goal is to translate science into meaningful survival benefits for many patients by overcoming some of the biggest treatment challenges, not only in small cell lung cancer but also across other difficult-to-treat solid tumors. These interim data for pumitamig represent an important step in the right direction.”

“Today’s data add to the growing body of evidence indicating the potential of pumitamig to improve outcomes across a wide range of solid tumors,” said Bryan Campbell, Senior Vice President, Head of Program Leadership, Hematology, Oncology, Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb. “These are the first-ever data in a global population in advanced small cell lung cancer for a PD-(L)1 x VEGF bispecific antibody, supporting a possible new standard of care for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. We look forward to continuing to jointly advance research and development of pumitamig as a potential new treatment option with meaningful clinical benefit for patients in need.”

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Related Topics and Keywords

BioNTech, BMS, PD-L1xVEGF-A Bispecific Antibody Pumitamig