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Nivolumab Plus Relatlimab: First Approval

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Abstract

Nivolumab plus relatlimab (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw; Opdualag™) is a fixed-dose, combination immunotherapy treatment being developed by Bristol Myers Squibb for the treatment of multiple types of advanced cancers. Both drugs are immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibodies developed to target immune checkpoints, with nivolumab targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor and relatlimab being a newly developed, first-in-class drug targeting the lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) protein. In March 2022, nivolumab plus relatlimab received its first approval in the USA for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adult patients and paediatric patients aged ≥ 12 years who weigh ≥ 40 kg. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of this combination therapy leading to this first approval for unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Springer Nature, Mairangi Bay, Private Bag 65901, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Julia Paik

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  1. Julia Paik
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Correspondence to Julia Paik.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflict of interest

During the peer review process the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from any comments received were made by the authors on the basis of scientific completeness and accuracy. Julia Paik is a salaried employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, and declares no relevant conflicts of interest. All authors contributed to the review and are responsible for the article content.

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This profile has been extracted and modified from the AdisInsight database. AdisInsight tracks drug development worldwide through the entire development process, from discovery, through pre-clinical and clinical studies to market launch and beyond.

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Paik, J. Nivolumab Plus Relatlimab: First Approval. Drugs 82, 925–931 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-022-01723-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-022-01723-1

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