Bristol-Myers Squibb Co

A. Company Profile

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMS) is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. The company's product portfolio includes innovative treatments across a wide range of therapeutic areas. There are extensive discovery and development programs in the field of oncology. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a world leader in the generation of cancer drugs.

B. Products

1. Erbitux

Erbitux (cetuximab) is a novel targeted anti-cancer therapy and is an investigational chimeric monoclonal antibody that has been designed to bind exclusively to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). When bound to the receptor, it is intended to block the ability of certain growth factors (EGF & TGF-alpha) to bind and signal the cell to promote tumor cell growth, survival and progression.

Erbitux is developed in the United States by Bristol-Myers Squibb and ImClone Systems.

2. Ifex

Ifex (Ifosfamide), combination with other chemotherapy medicines, is used for the treatment of germ cell testicular cancer. It is an alkylating agent and exerts its cytotoxic effects by convalently binding to nucleophilic groups on various cell constituents.

3. Ixabepilone

Ixabepilone or epothilone is a novel tubulin inhibitor for multiple tumor types. It inhibits cancer cells by the same mechanism as paclitaxel, and is also effective against paclitaxel-resistant tumors.

4. Paraplatin

Paraplatin (carboplatin) is indicated for the initial treatment of ovarian cancer that has spread beyond the ovaries in combination with other approved chemotherapy drugs. It is also indicated for palliative treatment (to ease symptoms rather than provide a cure) in patients with ovarian cancer that has recurred with ovarian cancer that has recurred after therapy with other drugs.

It is a member of the platinum coordination complex class of anticancer drug. The mechanism of action is similar to that of the alkylating agents. It binds to DNA and form inter- and intra-strand crosslinks, which results in inhibiting both DNA and RNA synthesis.

The most serious side effects associated with paraplatin include a reduction in red blood cell counts and platelets, which may be severe enough to require transfusions. A reduction in white blood cell counts may cause infections to occur. Allergic reactions may occur and may be severe. Other side effects are nausea, vomiting, pain, and weakness.

5. Taxol

Taxol is a type of medical treatment called chemotherapy. The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth. All cells, whether they are healthy cells or cancer cells, go through several stages of growth. During one of the stages, the cell starts to divide. Taxol may stop the cells from dividing and growing, so they eventually die.

6. BMS-354825

Target SRC and is for chronic myologenic leukemia.