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Key Takeaways
- BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb have entered a major global collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize BNT327, a bispecific antibody for solid tumors, with $1.5B upfront, $2 billion total in non-contingent anniversary payments through 2028, and up to $7.6B in milestone payments.
- BNT327 is already in global Phase III trials for lung cancer, with a breast cancer trial set to launch soon, underscoring its promise as a first-line treatment across multiple hard-to-treat tumor types.
BioNTech SE and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) are partnering up on both the global co-development and co-commercialization of BioNTech’s investigational bispecific antibody across multiple types of solid tumors.1 Branded as BNT327, the companies will work together to speed up this clinical candidate’s development.
Per the deal, BMS will pay BioNTech an upfront payment of $1.5 billion, and $2 billion total in non-contingent anniversary payments through 2028. BioNTech will also qualify to receive an extra $7.6 billion if further development, regulatory, and commercial milestones are met. The companies will be dividing any development and manufacturing costs down the middle, and profits or losses will be equally shared as well.
The parties will be working to together to produce and commercialize BNT327—a bispecific antibody candidate that attacks PD-L1 and VEGF-A—alongside the development of BNT327 as monotherapy and in combination with other products. It is designed to restore the immune system’s ability to fight cancer by combining PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition, which helps T cells recognize and attack tumor cells, with VEGF-A neutralization. By blocking VEGF-A, the therapy intends to both counter the tumor’s immunosuppressive microenvironment and disrupt its blood and oxygen supply—an anti-angiogenic effect intended to stop tumor growth and spread.
The agreement also states that both companies are allowed to develop BNT327 in further indications and combinations independently. This can even consist of any combinations of BNT327 that contain branded pipeline assets.
“We believe BNT327 has the potential to become a foundational immuno-oncology backbone, moving beyond single-mechanism checkpoint inhibitors and expanding into multiple solid-tumor indications. Our collaboration with BMS, a pioneering leader in immuno-oncology, aims to accelerate and broadly expand BNT327’s development to fully realize its potential,” said Prof. Ugur Sahin, MD, BioNTech’s CEO and co-founder. “Our focus remains on advancing high-impact, pan-tumor programs and combination strategies in oncology, with BNT327 complementing our antibody-drug conjugate programs and mRNA-based immunotherapies. We are dedicated to delivering truly transformative options for patients in need.”
At the moment, BNT327 is being assessed in various trials with more than 1,000 patients treated to date. This includes global Phase III trials with what is known as registrational potential—meaning that its approval looks promising. In essence, they are aiming to measure BNT327 as first-line treatment in extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By the end of this year, a global Phase III trial that will evaluate BNT327 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is also expected to commence.
“Our deep experience and expertise in advancing and delivering groundbreaking immuno-oncology medicines positions BMS well to collaboratively realize the potential of BNT327, an asset with significant potential for transforming the standard of care for patients with solid tumors,” commented Christopher Boerner, PhD, board chair and CEO of BMS. “The science behind BNT327 and its leading clinical position in multiple hard-to-treat tumor types, further bolsters our pursuit of novel mechanisms and multiple modalities in oncology, and enhances our growth trajectory. We are impressed by the innovation that BioNTech has achieved to date, and we look forward to partnering to accelerate existing clinical trials and time to market, while expanding the number of potential indications.”
Reference
1. BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb Announce Global Strategic Partnership to Co-Develop and Co-Commercialize Next-generation Bispecific Antibody Candidate BNT327 Broadly for Multiple Solid Tumor Types. Globe Newswire. June 2, 2025. Accessed June 5, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/6/2/3091688/0/en/BioNTech-and-Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Announce-Global-Strategic-Partnership-to-Co-Develop-and-Co-Commercialize-Next-generation-Bispecific-Antibody-Candidate-BNT327-Broadly-for-Multiple.html