Nivolumab is also quite an interesting choice for BLAZE to replace Gilead’s PD-1 blocker. The patent protection for Opdivo expires in 2028, after which biosimilars can be brought to market. In that case, there would be no restrictions on who that combination therapy could be sold to, at least not regarding the PD-(L)1 inhibitor patent. This also fits in with the patient selection patent I linked to above, which specifically looks at the ratio of PD-L1 positive cells to Clever-1 positive cells. Patients with an excess of PD-L1+ cells are put on the combination therapy, and other Clever-1+ patients go on Bex monotherapy.
16 Likes