* First investigational PD-(L)1xVEGF bispecific immunomodulator to present
global data showing encouraging efficacy in combination with
chemotherapy in first-line non-small cell lung cancer across PD-
L1 expression levels and subtypes, highlighting its potential to set a new
standard of care
* Pumitamig plus chemotherapy showed robust and consistent antitumor activity
in first-line non-small cell lung cancer at both evaluated dose levels, with
higher confirmed objective response rates at the lower dose of 63.6% in the
non-squamous and 72.7% in the squamous subtypes
* Pumitamig is advancing through a comprehensive global Phase 3 development
program in non-small cell lung cancer, including the actively enrolling
pivotal Phase 3 part of the ROSETTA Lung-02 trial, along with two additional
global Phase 3 trials
MAINZ, Germany, and PRINCETON, USA, May 30, 2026 - BioNTech SE
(https://www.biontech.com/) (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech") and Bristol Myers Squibb
Company
(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=cCTfSgxOJ58Y7n3wJQwx0yPsgdV7lO_nXH0a
rXH5sgcT-MCcOTK99OaoTbaPVCVrMR6HGJMyu1tpMQoMsBXnUaQfanMfTyfoaxIruCIgAzg=) (NYSE:
BMY, "BMS") today announced interim Phase 2 data from the global Phase 2/3
ROSETTA Lung-02 clinical trial (NCT06712316
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/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").
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 (https://www.asco.org/abstracts-
presentations/261380)) at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology
("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 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07361497)),
evaluating pumitamig compared to durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiation
therapy in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC; and ROSETTA Lung-
202 (NCT07361510 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/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
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/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
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06712355)); first-line non-small cell lung
cancer (ROSETTA LUNG-02, NCT06712316
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06712316)); unresectable stage III non-
small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA Lung-201, NCT07361497
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07361497)); first-line advanced PD-L1 >=
50% non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA Lung-202, NCT07361510
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07361510)); first-line triple-negative
breast cancer (ROSETTA BREAST-01, NCT07173751
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07173751)); first-line microsatellite
stable colorectal cancer (ROSETTA CRC-203, NCT07221357
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07221357)); and first-line gastric cancer
(ROSETTA GASTRIC-204, NCT07221149
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/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.
About BioNTech
BioNTech is a global next generation biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel
investigative therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. In oncology,
BioNTech is committed to transforming how cancer is treated. Its ambition is to
develop innovative medicines with pan-tumor or synergistic potential to address
cancer from multiple angles and across the full continuum of the disease from
early- to late-stage. Its growing late-stage oncology pipeline comprises
complementary treatment approaches spanning immunomodulators, antibody drug
conjugates, and mRNA cancer immunotherapies. BioNTech has partnered with
multiple global and specialized pharmaceutical collaborators leveraging
complementary expertise and resources to accelerate innovation and drive
progress, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Duality Biologics, Genentech, a member
of the Roche Group, Genmab, MediLink, OncoC4, and Pfizer.
For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.com (http://www.biontech.com).
BioNTech Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not
limited to, statements concerning: BioNTech's collaboration with Bristol Myers
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About Bristol Myers Squibb: Transforming Patients' Lives Through Science
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CONTACTS
BioNTech
Media Relations
Jasmina Alatovic
Media@biontech.de (mailto:Media@biontech.de)
Investor Relations
Douglas Maffei, PhD
Investors@biontech.de (mailto:Investors@biontech.de)
Bristol Myers Squibb
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1. Mariniello A et al. BioDrugs, 2025 Feb 15;39(2):215-235.
2. Lin Z et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jul 25;104(30):e43300.
3. Liu SV et al. Immunotherapy. 2025 Oct;17(14):1005-1013.
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