On May 30, 2026 BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech") and Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY, "BMS") reported interim Phase 2 data from the global Phase 2/3 ROSETTA Lung-02 clinical trial (NCT06712316) evaluating the investigational PD-L1xVEGF-A bispecific immunomodulator pumitamig (also known as BNT327 or BMS-986545) plus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC").

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The data showed encouraging anti-tumor activity, with high response rates observed in both non-squamous and squamous NSCLC and at each PD-L1 expression level (TPS ˂ 1%, TPS 1 – 49%, and TPS ≥ 50%). The data are being presented today as a rapid oral presentation (abstract #8513) at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) ("ASCO") Annual Meeting in Chicago.

"Despite significant immuno-oncology advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, most advanced diseases relapse on or after a PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitor treatment,1 indicating that targeting this immunologic pathway alone is insufficient to achieve durable responses," said Solange Peters, M.D., Ph.D., Lead Investigator and Director of Oncology at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. "I am encouraged by the efficacy signal with this bispecific approach, showing robust responses across subtypes and PD-L1 levels, supporting the continued investigation of pumitamig and its potential to deliver improved outcomes for a broad range of patients with NSCLC."

The Phase 2 part of the ROSETTA Lung-02 trial evaluated pumitamig in two dose levels, in combination with chemotherapy. At this interim analysis at the April 13, 2026 data cut-off, among 40 response-evaluable patients with a median follow-up of 9.0 months, pumitamig plus chemotherapy showed a confirmed objective response rate ("cORR") of 57.1% in patients with non-squamous NSCLC and 68.4% with squamous NSCLC with a disease control rate ("DCR") of 100%. Encouraging anti-tumor activity was observed at both dose levels, with higher response rates at the lower dose showing a cORR of 63.6% for non-squamous and 72.7% for squamous NSCLC. Results were high at each PD-L1 expression level (cORR: 47.6% TPS ˂ 1%; 77.8% TPS 1 – 49 %; 100% TPS ≥ 50%).

Pumitamig plus chemotherapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile with a low discontinuation rate. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events ("TRAEs") were reported in 48.8% of patients and were considered pumitamig-related in 23.3%, leading to treatment discontinuation in four (9.3%) patients. Immune-related AEs ("irAEs") occurred in 16 (37.2%) patients and grade ≥ 3 irAEs in two (4.7%) patients. Bleeding events were reported in nine (20.9%) patients, with only one event being grade 3.

"The data we are presenting today provide further evidence of the potential of pumitamig to enhance anti-tumor responses in advanced lung cancer, one of the most challenging indications, by simultaneously targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A with a single molecule," said Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at BioNTech. "Pumitamig has consistently shown efficacy in three global Phase 2 trials across PD-L1 expression levels. Together with our partner BMS, we are continuing to advance pumitamig in ongoing pivotal and novel-novel combination trials with the goal of delivering better outcomes for more patients."

"We are committed to advancing the science of lung cancer with pumitamig and improving on the standard of care for people with this challenging disease," said Anne Kerber, Senior Vice President, Head of Development, Hematology, Oncology, Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb. "With one of the broadest registrational programs in the class, we are focused on accelerating the development of pumitamig together with BioNTech, with the goal of delivering meaningful benefit to patients, including those who have been left behind by current therapies."

BioNTech and BMS are advancing a broad development plan for pumitamig in non-small cell lung cancer across disease stages and subgroups. In addition to the ongoing global ROSETTA Lung-02 trial, which is currently recruiting for the Phase 3 part of the trial, there are two additional global Phase 3 clinical trials in NSCLC currently enrolling. These include ROSETTA Lung-201 (NCT07361497), evaluating pumitamig compared to durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiation therapy in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC; and ROSETTA Lung-202 (NCT07361510), evaluating pumitamig compared to pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced PD-L1 ≥ 50% NSCLC. Pumitamig is also being investigated in combination with other novel investigative treatments for NSCLC, including in combination with investigational antibody-drug conjugates ("ADCs") and other modalities.

About ROSETTA Lung-02
The global Phase 2/3 ROSETTA Lung-02 trial (NCT06712316) is evaluating pumitamig (BNT327/ BMS986545) in combination with chemotherapy in patients with first-line treatment of non-squamous and squamous non-small cell lung cancer without actionable genomic alterations and with any level of PD-L1 expression. In the Phase 2 dose-optimization part of the trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to 1400 mg or 2000 mg pumitamig plus histology-specific chemotherapy Q3W (non-squamous: carboplatin + pemetrexed; squamous: carboplatin + paclitaxel). The primary endpoints of the Phase 2 part of the trial are objective response rate (ORR) per investigator’s assessment (RECIST 1.1), best percentage change in tumor size from baseline, and safety. Key secondary endpoints include duration of response (DOR) and disease control rate (DCR). The Phase 3 part of the trial will evaluate pumitamig plus chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy. Based on the totality of the data, a pumitamig 1500 mg flat dose Q3W plus chemotherapy was selected for further evaluation in the Phase 3 part. The primary endpoint of the Phase 3 part of the trial is progression free survival (PFS) assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), ORR, DOR.

About Pumitamig
Pumitamig is an investigational bispecific immunomodulator, jointly developed by BioNTech and BMS, designed to cooperatively bind to PD-L1 and VEGF-A. It is aimed at restoring the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells while simultaneously cutting off the blood and oxygen supply that feeds tumor cells (anti-angiogenesis effect), preventing them from growing and proliferating. By anchoring to PD-L1 receptors on tumor cells, we believe pumitamig localizes VEGF-A blockade within the tumor microenvironment, potentially enhancing antitumor activity while minimizing systemic exposure.

More than 2,000 patients have been treated with pumitamig in clinical trials to date. Seven global Phase 3 trials with registrational potential are currently ongoing, evaluating pumitamig plus chemotherapy compared to standard of care treatments, in first-line small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA LUNG-01, NCT06712355); first-line non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA LUNG-02, NCT06712316); unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA Lung-201, NCT07361497); first-line advanced PD-L1 ≥ 50% non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA Lung-202, NCT07361510); first-line triple-negative breast cancer (ROSETTA BREAST-01, NCT07173751); first-line microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (ROSETTA CRC-203, NCT07221357); and first-line gastric cancer (ROSETTA GASTRIC-204, NCT07221149). Pumitamig is also being explored in 10+ novel-novel combination trials with ADCs and other novel modalities, with the aim of expanding its role across tumor types and identifying additional pivotal opportunities.

About NSCLC
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) covers all epithelial lung cancers other than small cell lung cancer and includes squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the lung. It is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of cases, and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.2 Scientific advances have transformed the treatment of NSCLC, improving outcomes for many patients. However, NSCLC remains an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate of 18 to 22% in advanced stages.3 Patients with low levels of PD-L1 expression typically do not respond well to checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens creating a significant unmet need for new treatment options that provide durable responses to a broad range of patients.

(Press release, BioNTech, MAY 30, 2026, View Source [SID1234666242])