Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted an accelerated approval to Bristol-Myers Squibb Co's drug for an advanced form of skin cancer.

The drug, Opdivo, inhibits the action of the protein PD-1, which prevents the body's immune system from attacking melanoma tumors. (http://1.usa.gov/1zWChn5)

The FDA's approval comes well before its scheduled review date of March 30.

(Reporting by Anjali Rao Koppala in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey)