Genmab (OTCPK:GMXAY) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) have delivered a huge advance in multiple myeloma treatment with the launch of Darzalex. They have also presented payers with their next big budgetary test.
The anti-CD38 antibody is likely to move into early-line treatment combinations with Revlimid and Velcade based on two major data presentations over a five-day period. But adding an expensive drug to already costly regimens may have insurers and pharmacy benefit managers bargaining harder for lower prices in all myeloma settings.
The most recent data, presented at the European Hematology Association meeting, show that a combination of Darzalex with Celgene’s (NASDAQ:CELG) Revlimid and dexamethasone reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 63% versus to the last two drugs alone in patients who have progressed on at least one line of therapy.
This followed an Asco presentation showing a Darzalex, Velcade and dexamethasone combination having a similar effect, reducing the risk of progression or death by 61% in previously treated patients compared with the Velcade-dexamethasone regimen (Asco 2016 – Darzalex tries to climb the myeloma ladder, June 6, 2016).
In both studies, median progression-free survival for the Darzalex arms could not yet be calculated because not enough patients had progressed, while the Revlimid survival was 18.4 months and Velcade 7.2 months.
New standard of care
Multiple myeloma experts say the data suggested that these Darzalex combinations should be the standard of care in these frontline settings, a significant advance over Darzalex’s current indication of fourth-line monotherapy. It also opens the door to a first-line combination of Takeda (OTCPK:TKPYY) and Johnson & Johnson’s Velcade, Revlimid and Darzalex.
Treating this haematological cancer has become increasingly complex in the past four years as six new agents have come to market. Revlimid and dexamethasone have remained a backbone for treatment, with Velcade and now Darzalex providing additional benefit in combination.
The anti-CD38 antibody is likely to move into early-line treatment combinations with Revlimid and Velcade based on two major data presentations over a five-day period. But adding an expensive drug to already costly regimens may have insurers and pharmacy benefit managers bargaining harder for lower prices in all myeloma settings.
The most recent data, presented at the European Hematology Association meeting, show that a combination of Darzalex with Celgene’s (NASDAQ:CELG) Revlimid and dexamethasone reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 63% versus to the last two drugs alone in patients who have progressed on at least one line of therapy.
This followed an Asco presentation showing a Darzalex, Velcade and dexamethasone combination having a similar effect, reducing the risk of progression or death by 61% in previously treated patients compared with the Velcade-dexamethasone regimen (Asco 2016 – Darzalex tries to climb the myeloma ladder, June 6, 2016).
In both studies, median progression-free survival for the Darzalex arms could not yet be calculated because not enough patients had progressed, while the Revlimid survival was 18.4 months and Velcade 7.2 months.
New standard of care
Multiple myeloma experts say the data suggested that these Darzalex combinations should be the standard of care in these frontline settings, a significant advance over Darzalex’s current indication of fourth-line monotherapy. It also opens the door to a first-line combination of Takeda (OTCPK:TKPYY) and Johnson & Johnson’s Velcade, Revlimid and Darzalex.
Treating this haematological cancer has become increasingly complex in the past four years as six new agents have come to market. Revlimid and dexamethasone have remained a backbone for treatment, with Velcade and now Darzalex providing additional benefit in combination.
No comments:
Post a Comment