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Biogen acquired felzartamab through the $1.15bn Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) acquisition in July 2024. Image credit: Tada Images / Shutterstock. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a breakthrough therapy designation for its monoclonal antibody felzartamab as a treatment for late antibody-mediated rejection without T cell-mediated rejection in kidney transplant patients. The company has previously received breakthrough therapy designation for felzartamab in primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) indication and orphan drug designations for the therapy in PMN and antibody-mediated rejection. Biogen also plans to start Phase III trials evaluating felzartamab in three indications, antibody-mediated rejection, PMN and IgA nephropathy (IgAN), next year. The news also resulted in a modest uptick of Biogen’s stock, which was up by 1.9% at the market close yesterday (9 October) compared to the market close on the previous day. The company’s stock has suffered a decline in recent months. July was a turbulent month for Biogen as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) refused to approve its Alzheimer’s therapy Leqembi (lecanemab), developed in collaboration with Eisai . Soon after, its essential tremor therapy, SAGE-324, developed in partnership with Sage Therapeutics failed in a Phase II trial and the companies abandoned development. The FDA’s decision for the breakthrough therapy designation was based on positive data from a Phase II trial (NCT05021484). The study enrolled 22 patients who experienced late antibody-mediated rejection at least six months post-kidney transplantation. After 24 weeks, 82% of patients in the treatment arm saw a resolution of antibody-mediated rejection, compared to 20% in the placebo group. Of the nine patients who experienced resolution with felzartamab at 24 weeks, 67% maintained resolution at 52 weeks. Biogen has also seen positive mid-stage results with felzartamab in both PMN and IgAN indications. See Also: Merck unveils €290m biosafety testing facility in Maryland, US Boehringer and Circle Pharma link to develop new cancer treatment Felzartamab is an anti-CD38 targeting monoclonal antibody. It is a recent addition to Biogen’s portfolio and was added as part of the $1.15bn Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) acquisition in July 2024. Felzartamab was originally developed by MorphoSys as a possible competitor to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Genmab ’s multiple myeloma therapy Darzalex (daratumumab). Celgene briefly acquired the rights to the therapy in 2013 before HI-Bio licensed it for development outside China in 2022. GlobalData, the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology , expects the monoclonal antibody to pull in over $776m by 2032, should the therapy get approved.

Study of the first and only subcutaneous quadruplet regimen demonstrates 60.9 percent improvement in minimal residual disease (MRD)-negativity and 43 percent reduction in the risk of progression or death Phase 3 CEPHEUS study results presented in late-breaking oral presentation at the International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) announced today results from the Phase 3 CEPHEUS study demonstrating a significant clinical improvement with DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VRd) in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are transplant ineligible (TIE) or for whom transplant was not planned as initial therapy (transplant deferred). The data showing significant improvement in minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response (CR) or better rate, were featured as a late-breaking oral presentation at the 2024 International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting (Abstract #OA — 63). CEPHEUS is an ongoing, multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of D-VRd compared to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) for NDMM patients for whom transplant was not planned as initial therapy (TIE or deferred). Results show that treatment with D-VRd resulted in deeper responses, including MRD-negativity, compared with VRd. At a median follow-up of 58.7 months, the primary endpoint was met, with overall MRD-negativity rate at a sensitivity of 10-5 (no cancer cells detected within 100,000 bone marrow cells) of 60.9 percent for patients receiving D-VRd and 39.4 percent for VRd (OR [odds ratio], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-3.55; P<0.0001). The proportion of patients achieving sustained MRD-negativity of ≥ 12 months almost doubled with D-VRd vs VRd (48.7 percent vs 26.3 percent; P<0.0001). The study also demonstrated that D-VRd significantly reduced the risk of progression or death by 43 percent (HR [hazard ratio], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41-0.79; P<0.0005) vs VRd. The median PFS was not reached for D-VRd vs 52.6 months for VRd.1 "The CEPHEUS study results show that 60 percent of patients achieved MRD negativity, which is clinically important for physicians treating patients with multiple myeloma and, in general, a strong predictor of improved long-term outcomes, including progression free survival and overall survival," said Saad Z. Usmani, M.D., F.A.C.P., Chief, Myeloma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and study investigator.* "The subcutaneous daratumumab-based quadruplet regimen has compelling efficacy characterized by deep, durable responses and reduced risk of disease progression in the frontline population of patients not undergoing transplant, supporting the potential of this quadruplet to become a new regimen in this treatment setting." The DARZALEX FASPRO®-based quadruplet regimen, compared to VRd, also significantly increased the depth of response with higher rates of CR or better. The CR or better rate was 81.2 percent with D-VRd vs 61.6 percent with VRd (P<0.0001). Overall survival data are not yet mature. The overall safety profile of D-VRd was consistent with the known safety profiles for DARZALEX FASPRO® and VRd. The most common (>10 percent) Grade 3/4 hematologic and non-hematologic adverse events with D-VRd vs VRd were neutropenia (44.2 percent vs 29.7 percent), thrombocytopenia (28.4 percent vs 20.0 percent), anemia (13.2 percent vs 11.8 percent), peripheral neuropathies (8.1 percent vs 8.2 percent), diarrhea (12.2 percent vs 9.2 percent), and COVID-19 (11.2 percent vs 4.6 percent).1 "Data from PERSEUS and now CEPHEUS add to the body of evidence illustrating how the DARZALEX FASPRO®-based quadruplet regimen has the potential to be a foundational frontline therapy across all patient types during first-line treatment, regardless of transplant eligibility status," said Robin Carson, M.D., Global Head, Oncology, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson. "We look forward to continuing to advance this potential new quadruplet therapy and deliver on our commitment to transforming outcomes for people with multiple myeloma." About the CEPHEUS Study CEPHEUS (NCT03652064) is an ongoing, multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of D-VRd vs VRd in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma for whom autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is not planned as initial therapy. The primary endpoint is minimal residual disease (MRD)-negativity rate at a 10-5 sensitivity threshold. Key secondary endpoints include overall complete response (CR) or better rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and sustained MRD-negative rate at 1 year. The trial has enrolled 396 patients in 13 countries. About the PERSEUS Study The PERSEUS study (NCT03710603) is being conducted in collaboration with the European Myeloma Network as the sponsor. PERSEUS is an ongoing, randomized, open-label, Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of D-VRd during induction and consolidation versus VRd during induction and consolidation in patients with NDMM eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Following consolidation, patients received an investigational treatment regimen for maintenance that included DARZALEX FASPRO® in combination with lenalidomide or lenalidomide alone. The trial was not designed to isolate the effect of DARZALEX FASPRO® in the maintenance phase of treatment. The efficacy of DARZALEX FASPRO® in combination with lenalidomide for maintenance has not been established. The primary endpoint is PFS, and secondary endpoints include overall CR or better rate, and overall MRD-negativity (in patients with CR or better). The median age is 61.0 (range, 32-70) years for patients in the D-VRd arm and 59.0 (range, 31-70) years for patients in the VRd arm. The study is being conducted in 14 countries in Europe and Australia. About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.2 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells proliferate and replace normal cells in the bone marrow.3 Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer worldwide and remains an incurable disease.4 In 2024, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. and more than 12,000 will die from the disease.5 People with multiple myeloma have a 5-year survival rate of 59.8 percent.5 While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels, kidney problems or infections.6,7 About DARZALEX FASPRO® DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) received U.S. FDA approval in May 2020 and is approved for nine indications in multiple myeloma, four of which are for frontline treatment in newly diagnosed patients who are transplant eligible or ineligible.1 It is the only subcutaneous CD38-directed antibody approved to treat patients with multiple myeloma. DARZALEX FASPRO® is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme's ENHANZE® drug delivery technology. In August 2012, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Genmab A/S entered a worldwide agreement, which granted Janssen an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab. For more information, visit . DARZALEX FASPRO® INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INDICATIONS DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma: In combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for induction and consolidation in newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant In combination with bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in newly diagnosed patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant and in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy In combination with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant In combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI) In combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior therapy As monotherapy in patients who have received at least three prior lines of therapy including a PI and an immunomodulatory agent or who are double refractory to a PI and an immunomodulatory agent IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS DARZALEX FASPRO® is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to daratumumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the components of the formulation.  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS  Hypersensitivity and Other Administration Reactions Both systemic administration-related reactions, including severe or life-threatening reactions, and local injection-site reactions can occur with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Fatal reactions have been reported with daratumumab-containing products, including DARZALEX FASPRO®.  Systemic Reactions In a pooled safety population of 1249 patients with multiple myeloma (N=1056) or light chain (AL) amyloidosis (N=193) who received DARZALEX FASPRO® as monotherapy or in combination, 7% of patients experienced a systemic administration-related reaction (Grade 2: 3.2%, Grade 3: 0.7%, Grade 4: 0.1%). Systemic administration-related reactions occurred in 7% of patients with the first injection, 0.2% with the second injection, and cumulatively 1% with subsequent injections. The median time to onset was 2.9 hours (range: 5 minutes to 3.5 days). Of the 165 systemic administration-related reactions that occurred in 93 patients, 144 (87%) occurred on the day of DARZALEX FASPRO® administration. Delayed systemic administration-related reactions have occurred in 1% of the patients. Severe reactions included hypoxia, dyspnea, hypertension, tachycardia, and ocular adverse reactions, including choroidal effusion, acute myopia, and acute angle closure glaucoma. Other signs and symptoms of systemic administration-related reactions may include respiratory symptoms, such as bronchospasm, nasal congestion, cough, throat irritation, allergic rhinitis, and wheezing, as well as anaphylactic reaction, pyrexia, chest pain, pruritus, chills, vomiting, nausea, hypotension, and blurred vision. Pre-medicate patients with histamine-1 receptor antagonist, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids. Monitor patients for systemic administration-related reactions, especially following the first and second injections. For anaphylactic reaction or life-threatening (Grade 4) administration-related reactions, immediately and permanently discontinue DARZALEX FASPRO®. Consider administering corticosteroids and other medications after the administration of DARZALEX FASPRO® depending on dosing regimen and medical history to minimize the risk of delayed (defined as occurring the day after administration) systemic administration-related reactions. Ocular adverse reactions, including acute myopia and narrowing of the anterior chamber angle due to ciliochoroidal effusions with potential for increased intraocular pressure or glaucoma, have occurred with daratumumab-containing products. If ocular symptoms occur, interrupt DARZALEX FASPRO® and seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation prior to restarting DARZALEX FASPRO®. Local Reactions In this pooled safety population, injection-site reactions occurred in 7% of patients, including Grade 2 reactions in 0.8%. The most frequent (>1%) injection-site reaction was injection-site erythema. These local reactions occurred a median of 5 minutes (range: 0 minutes to 6.5 days) after starting administration of DARZALEX FASPRO®. Monitor for local reactions and consider symptomatic management. Neutropenia Daratumumab may increase neutropenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO® until recovery of neutrophils. In lower body weight patients receiving DARZALEX FASPRO®, higher rates of Grade 3-4 neutropenia were observed. Thrombocytopenia Daratumumab may increase thrombocytopenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO® until recovery of platelets.  Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on the mechanism of action, DARZALEX FASPRO® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. DARZALEX FASPRO® may cause depletion of fetal immune cells and decreased bone density. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females with reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® and for 3 months after the last dose.  The combination of DARZALEX FASPRO® with lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide is contraindicated in pregnant women because lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide may cause birth defects and death of the unborn child. Refer to the lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide prescribing information on use during pregnancy.  Interference With Serological Testing Daratumumab binds to CD38 on red blood cells (RBCs) and results in a positive indirect antiglobulin test (indirect Coombs test). Daratumumab-mediated positive indirect antiglobulin test may persist for up to 6 months after the last daratumumab administration. Daratumumab bound to RBCs masks detection of antibodies to minor antigens in the patient's serum. The determination of a patient's ABO and Rh blood type are not impacted.  Notify blood transfusion centers of this interference with serological testing and inform blood banks that a patient has received DARZALEX FASPRO®. Type and screen patients prior to starting DARZALEX FASPRO®.  Interference With Determination of Complete Response Daratumumab is a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) kappa monoclonal antibody that can be detected on both the serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation (IFE) assays used for the clinical monitoring of endogenous M-protein. This interference can impact the determination of complete response and of disease progression in some DARZALEX FASPRO®-treated patients with IgG kappa myeloma protein.  ADVERSE REACTIONS In multiple myeloma, the most common adverse reaction (≥20%) with DARZALEX FASPRO® monotherapy is upper respiratory tract infection. The most common adverse reactions with combination therapy (≥20% for any combination) include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea, insomnia, headache, pyrexia, cough, muscle spasms, back pain, vomiting, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral sensory neuropathy, constipation, pneumonia, edema, peripheral edema, musculoskeletal pain, and rash. The most common hematology laboratory abnormalities (≥40%) with DARZALEX FASPRO® are decreased leukocytes, decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased platelets, and decreased hemoglobin.  Please click here to read full Prescribing Information for DARZALEX FASPRO®. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at or at . Follow us at @JanssenUS and @JNJInnovMed. Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are both Johnson & Johnson companies. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj). The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at , or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. *Dr. Saad Z. Usmani has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Johnson & Johnson; he has not been paid for any media work. 1 Usmani, S., et al. Daratumumab SC + Bortezomib/Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone in Patients With Transplant-ineligible or Transplant-deferred Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Results of the Phase 3 CEPHEUS Study. IMS 2024. September 27, 2024. 2 Rajkumar SV. Multiple Myeloma: 2020 Update on Diagnosis, Risk-Stratification and Management. Am J Hematol. 2020;95(5):548-5672020;95(5):548-567. 3 National Cancer Institute. Plasma Cell Neoplasms. Accessed July 2024. Available at: 4 Multiple Myeloma. City of Hope, 2022. Multiple Myeloma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments. Accessed July 2024. Available at: 5 American Cancer Society. Myeloma Cancer Statistics. Accessed July 2024. Available at: 6 American Cancer Society. What is Multiple Myeloma? Accessed July 2024. Available at: 7 American Cancer Society. Multiple Myeloma Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. Accessed July 2024. 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