TheraRadar

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Data updated: Mar 10, 2026

OPDUALAG

NIVOLUMAB Programmed Death Receptor-1-directed Antibody Interactions
Oncology Approved 2022-03-18

OPDUALAG is a combination of nivolumab and relatlimab indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. This therapy combines two different immune checkpoint inhibitors to address advanced melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. By utilizing two distinct monoclonal antibodies, the treatment provides a dual-pathway approach to enhancing the body's immune response against tumor cells.

Source: FDA Label • Bristol-Myers Squibb • Programmed Death Receptor-1 Blocking Antibody

How OPDUALAG Works

OPDUALAG functions by blocking two separate pathways that inhibit T-cell activation, thereby enhancing the immune system's anti-tumor response. Relatlimab binds to the LAG-3 receptor to prevent inhibitory signaling and promote T-cell proliferation, while nivolumab binds to the PD-1 receptor to block ligands that tumors use to evade immune surveillance. Together, these antibodies increase T-cell activation and cytokine secretion more effectively than either agent alone, leading to inhibited tumor growth and promoted tumor regression.

Source: FDA Label
1
Indication
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Phase 3 Trials
1
Priority Reviews
3
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2022-03-18
Routes
INTRAVENOUS
Dosage Forms
SOLUTION

Companies

Active Ingredient: NIVOLUMAB , RELATLIMAB-RMBW

OPDUALAG Approval History

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What OPDUALAG Treats

2 indications

OPDUALAG is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2022. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Unresectable melanoma
  • Metastatic melanoma
Source: FDA Label

OPDUALAG Target & Pathway

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Target

PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein 1) Immune Checkpoint

An immune checkpoint receptor on T-cells that acts as an 'off switch' for immune responses. Cancer cells often exploit PD-1 by expressing its ligands (PD-L1/PD-L2), allowing tumors to evade immune detection. Blocking PD-1 releases this brake, enabling T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Pathway Context

PD-1 on T-cells binds to PD-L1/PD-L2 on tumor cells, suppressing immune attack

PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1) ligand

A protein expressed on tumor cells and immune cells that binds to PD-1 on T-cells, suppressing immune responses. Many cancers overexpress PD-L1 to avoid immune attack. Blocking PD-L1 prevents this immune suppression, allowing the body's T-cells to fight cancer.

PD-L2 (Programmed Death-Ligand 2) ligand

A second ligand for PD-1, expressed on antigen-presenting cells and some tumors. PD-L2 binds PD-1 with higher affinity than PD-L1 but is less widely expressed. Drugs blocking PD-1 prevent both PD-L1 and PD-L2 interactions.

OPDUALAG Competitors

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10 other drugs also target PD-1. Compare mechanisms, indications, and trial activity.

View all 10 PD-1 drugs →
Drug = Competitor name Company = Manufacturer N indic. = FDA-approved indications → Date = Patent/exclusivity expiry

Competitors share the same molecular target (PD-1). Earlier expiry dates signal biosimilar/generic opportunities.

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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

OPDUALAG FDA Label Details

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Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

OPDUALAG™ is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDUALAG is a combination of nivolumab, a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody, and relatlimab, a lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) blocking antibody, indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.