Merck, a leading science and technology company has announced that it will enter into a strategic collaboration with Project Data Sphere LLC, an independent, not-for-profit initiative of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer's Life Sciences Consortium, to jointly lead the Global Oncology Big Data Alliance (GOBDA).

Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation status to cemiplimab (REGN2810) for the treatment of adults with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and adults with locally advanced and unresectable CSCC, the second deadliest skin cancer after melanoma[1], [2]. Cemiplimab is an investigational human, monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1.

Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Rigontec announced that Merck will acquire Rigontec. Rigontec is a pioneer in accessing the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) pathway, part of the innate immune system, as a novel and distinct approach in cancer immunotherapy to induce both immediate and long-term anti-tumor immunity.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced that it has completed the previously announced planned acquisition of IFM Therapeutics. The transaction includes full rights to IFM's preclinical STING (stimulator of interferon genes) and NLRP3 agonist programs focused on enhancing the innate immune response for treating cancer.

AstraZeneca and Amgen Inc. (Amgen) announce results from the PATHWAY Phase IIb trial of tezepelumab that showed a significant reduction in the annual asthma exacerbation rate compared with placebo in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Tezepelumab is a first-in-class anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody being developed by MedImmune, AstraZeneca’s global biologics research and development arm, in collaboration with Amgen.

The first of seven teams of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) employees mounted their bikes in Cannon Beach, OR, today to kick off the 2017 Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride. Ninety-three novice riders will bike a total of nearly 2,800 miles during the 21-day mission to raise money and awareness for Stand Up To Cancer’s innovative cancer research programs that bring together collaborative teams of scientific researchers to help get new therapies to patients faster.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CyltezoTM, a biosimilar to Humira®*, in a pre-filled syringe for the treatment of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases, including: