AbbVie and Bristol-Myers Squibb announced a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate the combination of AbbVie’s investigational antibody drug conjugate ABBV-399 and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo (nivolumab) in c-Met overexpressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A Phase 1b clinical study is underway that includes evaluating the potential of combining Opdivo, which is designed to alleviate immune suppression, with ABBV-399 to explore the tolerability and potential efficacy of the combination in subjects with advanced c-Met overexpressing NSCLC who failed one prior line of chemotherapy. This study could expand into additional solid tumors in the future.

“Cancer remains one of the most challenging medical conditions for patients and physicians,” said Tom Hudson, M.D., vice president, oncology early discovery and development, AbbVie. “Therapeutic advances continue to be achieved every day and we are committed to exploring the potential of our investigational compounds with other approved treatments with the goal to deliver a significant impact to patients.”

“We continue to explore the potential of novel combinations of medicines with Opdivo, and AbbVie’s investigational treatments will help evaluate the role of new targets in combination with immunotherapy” said Fouad Namouni, M.D., head of Development, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We look forward to continuing to partner our PD1 with AbbVie’s early- and late-stage assets as a possible treatment option for patients with lung cancer.”

AbbVie is the sponsor conducting the trial. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.