Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and BioNTech SE Partner to Advance Next-Gen Cancer Therapies

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY), which focuses on innovative cancer and immunology treatments, is a leader in the global biopharmaceutical market. The company has taken significant strides in the market by entering into a collaboration with BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX), a German biotech firm known for its mRNA technology and COVID-19 vaccine development.

A scientist in a lab researching the biology of a cancer cell.

Under the agreed deal, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) will pay $1.5 billion upfront to co-develop BioNTech’s experimental cancer drug, BNT327, and obtain its commercialization rights. This $11 billion deal marks a significant achievement for the German company, which hopes to build on its success from the COVID-19 vaccine it developed with Pfizer.

The cancer drug, BNT327, aims to activate the immune system to target multiple solid tumors, just like traditional drugs such as Merck’s Keytruda. However, this drug provides a dual mechanism of action by also targeting the tumor’s blood supply. Moreover, the drug is already undergoing clinical trials as a key treatment for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers, having successfully treated over 1,000 patients to date.

The CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) highlighted that the two companies’ shared commitment is to accelerate the drug’s clinical trials and expand its potential uses. He made the following comment:

“We are impressed by the innovation that BioNTech has achieved to date, and we look forward to partnering to accelerate existing clinical trials and time to market, while expanding the number of potential indications.”

This deal epitomizes the pharmaceutical industry’s strong commitment to developing next-generation cancer therapies. Earlier in 2025, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) completed the acquisition of China’s Biotheus for an upfront payment of $800 million, with additional payments of $150 million contingent on project milestones.

As part of this deal, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) will pay up to $2 billion in fixed payments by 2028, in addition to the $1.5 billion upfront payment. Furthermore, BioNTech will receive up to $7.6 billion based on development and commercial milestones. The partnership involves equal sharing of profits, losses, and costs, demonstrating the two parties’ commitment to fighting cancer.

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Disclosure. None.