On January 20, 2026 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY, "BMS"), a global leader in oncology, reported an agreement with Microsoft, a market leader in AI-powered radiology and clinical workflow technologies, aiming to accelerate early detection of lung cancer.

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Through this digital health collaboration, U.S. FDA-cleared radiology AI algorithms will be deployed via Microsoft’s Precision Imaging Network, part of Microsoft for Healthcare radiology solutions. Today, more than 80% of hospitals in the U.S. use Microsoft’s award-winning network to share medical imaging and access third-party imaging AI. AI capabilities available through Precision Imaging Network can automatically analyze X-ray and CT images to help identify lung disease, supporting radiologists in their daily workflow and helping reduce clinical workload. These advanced AI algorithms can help surface hard to detect lung nodules, potentially identify patients at earlier stages of lung cancer, and help triage them for appropriate care.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with approximately 125,000 deaths and 227,000 new cases reported annually. Medically underserved populations experience even higher lung cancer mortality rates and are less likely to receive guideline-concordant screening. With more than half of the patients with incidental findings lost to follow-up, the collaboration leverages workflow management tools to track patients with lung nodules through care pathways and help ensure regular follow-up.

"By combining Microsoft’s highly scalable radiology solutions with BMS’ deep expertise in oncology and drug delivery, we’ve envisioned a unique AI-enabled workflow that helps clinicians quickly and accurately identify patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and guide them to optimal care pathways and precision therapies," said Dr. Alexandra Goncalves, VP and Head of Digital Health, Bristol Myers Squibb. "An integrated, AI-powered platform that streamlines patient flow can significantly improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes."

A core objective of the collaboration is to expand access to early detection in medically underserved communities, including rural hospitals and community clinics across the United States. By harnessing advanced AI tools, especially in resource-limited settings, this initiative promotes earlier diagnosis and follow-up, enabling more equitable care for all patients.

"This new Microsoft collaboration reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and addressing healthcare challenges," said Andrew Whitehead, VP and Head of Population Health, Bristol Myers Squibb. "At BMS, health equity is not a standalone initiative—it is embedded in everything we do. By deploying this solution and bringing advanced AI tools to the front lines, together we will help to address health disparities in lung cancer."

The early detection strategy for lung cancer directly supports BMS’ commitment to health equity and its focus on scalable, sustainable solutions to improve patient outcomes.

"With Microsoft’s AI-powered radiology technology platform widely deployed within healthcare delivery organizations across the country and operating behind the scenes, clinicians can more easily identify patients who may be showing early signs of cancer—often before they are aware of any symptoms—and help guide them into the appropriate care pathway sooner," said Peter Durlach, Corporate Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Microsoft Health and Life Sciences. "This is a clear win for both patients and providers and aligns with Microsoft’s goals to utilize technology to unlock insights, increase efficiencies, and improve patient care."

(Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, JAN 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234662088])

On January 20, 2026 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, reported that patient enrollment has been completed in its Phase 2a pancreatic cancer clinical trial of Namodenoson.

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The Phase 2a study is a multicenter, open-label trial enrolling patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose disease has progressed following at least one line of prior therapy. The study is evaluating the safety (primary endpoint), clinical activity, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of Namodenoson in this patient population. Participants receive oral Namodenoson at a dose of 25 mg, administered twice daily in continuous 28-day cycles. Patients are regularly monitored for safety, and to date, Namodenoson has demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The study is led by Prof. Salomon Stemmer, a renowned oncologist and key opinion leader at the Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Israel.

"This achievement marks a significant step forward in the clinical development of Namodenoson in pancreatic cancer," said Pnina Fishman, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Can-Fite BioPharma. "With enrollment now complete and safety continuing to be favorable, we believe we are well positioned to generate meaningful efficacy top-line data in Q3 2026."

Namodenoson is a highly selective A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonist, which has shown a compelling safety profile and demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical pancreatic cancer models. The drug is also being evaluated in clinical trials for advanced liver cancer.

Namodenoson has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

(Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, JAN 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234662089])

On January 20, 2026 Syngene International, a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), reported the extension of its long-standing strategic collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb through 2035. The expanded agreement broadens the scope of integrated services across the drug development lifecycle spanning discovery (chemistry, biology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics), translational sciences, pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, clinical trials, data and information technology services to enable seamless progression from research to commercialization. The expansion of this collaboration marks the next phase of growth, reinforcing Syngene’s position as a strategic partner delivering integrated, end-to-end scientific and manufacturing solutions.

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Peter Bains, Managing Director and CEO, Syngene International Ltd., said, "Our collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, which now spans more than 25 years, is anchored in scientific excellence, operational reliability, and a shared commitment to advancing innovative therapies. The agreement to extend this partnership through 2035 enables us to plan together for the future in terms of building new capabilities and infrastructure with a decade long horizon. Taking a long-term perspective is a key feature of our partnership which adds strategic value to both companies. We look forward to supporting BMS with their next wave of discovery, development, and manufacturing programs that have the potential to improve patient outcomes worldwide."

Payal Sheth, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Discovery Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, said, "At Bristol Myers Squibb, everything we do begins with patients. We greatly value our long-standing partnership with Syngene, which has been instrumental in advancing our scientific ambitions. This expanded collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing innovative science by effective integration of our research, development, and manufacturing capabilities to accelerate the delivery of transformative medicines and bring hope to patients around the world who are waiting for new treatment options."

The collaboration between Syngene and Bristol Myers Squibb began in 1998, culminating in the establishment of the Biocon Bristol Myers Squibb Research and Development Center (BBRC), Syngene’s first dedicated R&D Center, which was fully commissioned in 2009. Over the years, the BBRC has evolved into a major strategic R&D site for Bristol Myers Squibb, supporting integrated capabilities across target identification, lead discovery, lead optimization, pharmaceutical development, molecular and cell biology, protein sciences, assay biology and clinical biomarkers. The center, which today houses around 700 Syngene scientists working as an extension of Bristol Myers Squibb’s global research organization, contributes to discovery, preclinical development, and patent filings across therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, fibrosis, immunology, and oncology.

Since its inception, BBRC has played a pivotal role in accelerating the progression of novel compounds from early discovery to first-in-human studies, thereby helping reduce development timelines and overall costs for Bristol Myers Squibb.

(Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, JAN 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234662105])

On January 19, 2026 Jecho (Tianjin) Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Jecho Bio") reported that its independently developed innovative drug, JLM019, has successfully completed dosing of the first subject in a clinical trial for advanced malignant tumors at Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

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JLM019 is a CD80/PD-1 dual-target Fc fusion protein with a unique bidirectional synergistic mechanism. With its precise targeting design, the drug is expected to overcome the limitations of existing immunotherapies, improve immunotherapy response rates, and delay the development of tumor cell resistance. As a result, it has the potential to significantly enhance immunotherapy and provide new treatment options and hope for survival for patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas.

This study is led by Professors Ba Yi and Han Xiaohong of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The Phase 1 study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of JLM019 injection in patients with advanced malignancies.

Jecho Bio remains committed to the development of innovative therapies to address unmet clinical needs and to promote the advancement of the biopharmaceutical industry. The company also looks forward to working closely with partners across the industry to accelerate the translation of innovative therapies into clinical practice and to jointly shape the future of the field.

(Press release, Jecho Laboratories, JAN 19, 2026, View Source [SID1234662130])

On January 19, 2026 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, reported a multi-year collaboration with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, to support the development and commercialization of Merck’s oncology portfolio using the Guardant Infinity Smart platform.

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Under the multi-year collaboration agreement, Guardant and Merck aim to:

Use Guardant’s portfolio of liquid and tissue biopsy tests as clinical trial enrolling assays in Merck’s global clinical studies,
Evaluate opportunities to develop novel therapies using Guardant liquid biopsy tests as a companion diagnostic, and
Partner for global commercialization of drugs and companion diagnostics including in US, Asia-Pacific, UK and EU markets.
"This strategic collaboration allows us to bring the power of the Infinity Smart platform to some of the most important oncology programs in development today," said Helmy Eltoukhy, Guardant Health chairman and co-CEO. "As biomarkers become more central to therapy selection, our goal is to ensure that every trial has the molecular clarity needed to reach the right patients. This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to rigor, scale, and faster development of life-changing cancer therapies."

(Press release, Guardant Health, JAN 19, 2026, View Source [SID1234662086])