Bristol-Myers to collaborate with Calibr on fibrosis drugs

Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY) is turning to the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr) in San Diego for new fibrosis drug candidates. The non-profit Calibr was set up in 2012 with a collaboration involving Merck ($MRK) and specializes in translational research projects aimed at pushing new drug candidates into the clinic. The deal builds on Bristol-Myers' fibrosis portfolio, which includes the Phase II IPF drug BMS-986020 and a recently struck option on acquiring Galecto Biotech AB and its lead asset TD139, a novel inhaled inhibitor of galectin-3 in Phase I development for the treatment of IPF and other pulmonary fibrotic conditions. Release