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Bristol-Myers Squibb discontinues research for HBV, HIV drugs
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As their company expands, Bristol Myers-Squibb will be discontinuing its research efforts in virology, which includes early research of certain drugs for hepatitis B virus infection and HIV, according to a press release.
According to the release, Bristol-Myers Squibb will be expanding the company’s R&D Discovery site in San Francisco, but will be ceasing all early research in virology and drugs associated with HBV and HIV. However, current, ongoing developmental programs will not be effected by this discontinuance.
“The decision to discontinue Discovery research in virology does not impact the company’s promising ongoing development programs in virology, which includes the HIV attachment inhibitor BMS-663068, the HIV maturation inhibitor BMS-955176, beclabuvir and the anti-PD-L1 compound BMS-936559, or the company’s marketed virology medicines,” the release said.
The marketed drug programs that will not be effected include: Baraclude (entecavir), Reyataz (atazanavir), Evotaz (atazanavir and cobicistat), Sustiva (efavirenz), Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Daklinza (daclatasvir) and Sunvepra (asunaprevir).
The release further states that Bristol-Myers Squibb is still “committed” to commercializing daclatasvir for HCV across the world.
“In addition to investments in central New Jersey, our new location in Cambridge and our expanding presence in the San Francisco Bay area positions the company and our scientists in the heart of vibrant ecosystems of world class science, innovation and business opportunities, which offer ideal environments for fostering external collaboration,” Francis Cuss, MB BChir, FRCP, executive vice president and chief scientific officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said in the release. “Ultimately, our goal is to continue to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge and insights into the next wave of potentially transformational medicines for patients with serious diseases.”
The R&D site will focus its research on heart failure, fibrosis, immunnoscience and other areas of immune-oncology, according to the release.
Disclosures: Cuss is employed by Bristol-Myers Squibb.