Johnson & Johnson

ASH meeting featured studies on BTK inhibitors in CLL, including Jaypirca's Phase 3 trial showing improved progression-free survival and fewer side effects. AstraZeneca's Calquence combined with Venclexta reduced progression risk by 35%. Pfizer's Oxbryta withdrawal due to safety concerns raised questions on sickle cell drug approvals. Bristol Myers Squibb presented positive survival data for its GPRC5D-targeted CAR-T therapy, arlo-cel, in multiple myeloma.

Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech's CAR T therapy Carvykti showed 89% MRD negativity in Phase III CARTITUDE-4 trial, more than double standard therapies' rate, with significant survival benefits and safety concerns.

Rusfertide, a hepcidin mimetic, showed durable hematocrit control, reduced phlebotomy use, and improved patient outcomes in polycythemia vera patients over 2.5 years in the REVIVE Phase 2 study. Rusfertide was well-tolerated, with mild to moderate adverse events.

Carvykti (cilta-cel) significantly improved MRD negativity rates, PFS, and OS in lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma patients, outperforming standard treatments in the CARTITUDE-4 trial. Carvykti, a BCMA-directed CAR-T therapy, showed 89% MRD-negativity vs. 38% with standard therapies, with FDA approval for earlier lines of treatment.

Johnson & Johnson's Darzalex Faspro showed significant improvement in progression-free survival in high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma patients, with 63.1% remaining progression-free at 60 months vs 40.8% in active monitoring. Five-year survival rates were 93% with Darzalex Faspro vs 86.9% with monitoring, and response rates were 63.4% vs 2%. J&J has submitted regulatory applications based on these phase 3 AQUILA trial results.

GSK's Blenrep, a multiple myeloma drug, shows significant overall survival benefit in a Phase 3 study, potentially becoming a new standard of care treatment. The drug, an antibody drug conjugate targeting BCMA, demonstrated a 42% reduction in the risk of death compared to a standard regimen. Despite initial market withdrawal, new data supports its efficacy in earlier treatment lines, with ongoing FDA review expected in July.

Johnson & Johnson seeks approval for Darzalex to treat high-risk smoldering myeloma, with AQUILA trial showing reduced risk of disease progression. GSK's Blenrep, after withdrawal, shows improved survival in DREAMM-7 trial. Emerging efforts aim to ease conditioning for genetic treatments in sickle cell disease. Kura Oncology's menin inhibitor shows promising results in AML, facing competition from J&J and Syndax. Pfizer's Oxbryta withdrawal for sickle cell disease remains unexplained.

Darzalex reduced smoldering multiple myeloma progression risk by 51%; BEAM-101 increased fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell patients; zilovertamab vedotin achieved complete responses in lymphoma; etavopivat halved sickle cell pain crises; anito-cel showed strong response in multiple myeloma, with potential to surpass existing therapies.

Janssen-Cilag announces TECVAYLI® (teclistamab) data from MajesTEC-5 and MajesTEC-4 studies showing 100% MRD negativity in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, presented at ASH 2024.

Subcutaneous daratumumab (Darzalex Faspro) significantly reduced disease progression or death risk and improved overall survival in high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma patients, according to the phase 3 AQUILA study. The treatment showed a 51% reduction in progression risk and a 48% reduction in death risk, with a 60-month OS rate of 93% compared to 86.9% with active monitoring. Daratumumab also delayed progression and improved response rates, with manageable safety profiles.