On March 1, 2017 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) reported its equity investment and plans for a research collaboration with GRAIL Inc., a life sciences company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it potentially can be cured (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MAR 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234517958]). By combining the power of high intensity cancer DNA sequencing, leading edge computer science and large clinical studies into a diagnostic platform, GRAIL aims to develop highly sensitive blood tests that detect cancer in its early stages to enable earlier intervention with targeted therapies.

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As an investor, Bristol-Myers Squibb will gain early access to GRAIL’s comprehensive clinical trial databases that may serve as a rich resource for understanding tumor genomics. Additionally, Bristol-Myers Squibb and GRAIL have agreed to principal terms of a research collaboration that would enable Bristol-Myers Squibb to examine its clinical data using GRAIL’s analytic tools to inform research and development decisions, guide strategies to advance point of care companion diagnostics and potentially improve selection, care and management of patients through more targeted treatments.

"A key enabler of our Immuno-Oncology strategy is to leverage precision medicine to speed the selection of the most effective combinations of therapies for patients," said Francis Cuss, MB BChir, FRCP, chief scientific officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "GRAIL’s future innovation potential is significant. Liquid biopsies hold the potential to support much earlier intervention and better define individual patient characteristics that may enhance treatment decisions."

Bristol-Myers Squibb has a diverse early portfolio of Immuno-Oncology mechanisms it’s evaluating across a broad range of tumors and modalities, with 10 investigational I-O molecules in the clinic and ongoing registrational trials in 14 tumor types.