The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) released the following statements from MRA’s Chief Science Officer Marc Hurlbert, PhD and President & CEO Michael Kaplan on the Food & Drug Administration approval of relatlimab plus nivolumab:

MRA Chief Science Officer Marc Hurlbert, PhD: “It is exciting to see a new, first in class, immunotherapy against the checkpoint LAG-3, a veritable roadblock suppressing the immune systems from attacking cancers, be approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The potential therapeutic use of LAG-3 therapeutics in melanoma was identified by Drew Pardoll, MD, PhD, whose work was funded in part by a 2009 MRA Team Science Award. Today’s approval also marks the 15^th approved melanoma therapy over the last decade – truly astonishing progress for researchers and patients alike.”

MRA President & CEO Michael Kaplan: “Today’s approval is an important step forward for patients with melanoma. It is especially rewarding to see a LAG-3 therapeutic – discovered in part through work funded by MRA – now become available to patients in the clinic.”

About Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA)

The Melanoma Research Alliance exists to accelerate treatment options and find a cure for melanoma. As the largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research, it has dedicated over $131 million and leveraged an additional $415 million in collaborative and follow-on funding towards its mission. Through its support, MRA has championed revolutions in immunotherapy, targeted therapies, novel combinations and diagnostics. Due to the ongoing support of its founders, 100 percent of donations to MRA go directly to its melanoma research program. MRA's ability to fund wide-ranging research in melanoma is amplified by unique collaborations and partnerships with individuals, private foundations, and corporations. Visit http://www.CureMelanoma.org for more information.

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