BMS, Millennium Subsidiary Form Cancer Pharmacogenomics Alliance

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMS; New York) and Millennium Predictive Medicine Inc. (MPM), a subsidiary of Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Cambridge, MA), have entered into an alliance in the field of cancer pharmacogenomics—using genetic information to develop anticancer therapies to treat specific patient populations or tumor types, or to tailor existing therapies to individual patients. Under the agreement, MPMx will apply its cancer pharmacogenomics expertise to some of BMS' oncology drugs in development and to existing products.

The goal of the partnership is to identify and validate oncology clinical markers—genes or proteins—that can help predict patients' responses to specific cancer treatment regimens and aid the development of new cancer therapies. The companies will use their genomics and bioinformatics technology platforms to identify the clinical markers linked to drug response or tumor types. By integrating clinical markers and genomic technology into the treatment of cancer, therapies could be tailored to individual patients, boosting efficacy and reducing side effects.

During the 5-year alliance, BMS will provide MPMx with $32 million in license fees, annual fees, and research funding. In addition, milestone and royalty payments will be made to MPMx upon the completion of certain milestones.

All therapeutic products resulting from the alliance will be marketed by BMS. All pharmacogenomic tests will be marketed by one or more diagnostics companies selected by MPMx and BMS.

Millennium Predictive Medicine Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, is developing genomic- and proteomic-derived products and services to accelerate and improve the diagnosis, treatment and prediction of disease.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. is a health and personal care company whose principal businesses are pharmaceuticals, consumer medicines, beauty care, nutritionals, and medical devices.

For more information: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., 345 Park Ave., New York, NY 10154-0037. Tel: 212-546-4000. Fax: 212-546-4020.

Edited by Jim Pomager