US biotech Celgene has been a big player in the blood cancer space, most recently securing CHMP backing to expand its biggest-selling drug Revlimid as a maintence treatment for multiple myeloma patients.
Its presence in the field is showing no signs of wavering either, following new data from a pivotal phase III trial of Pomalyst whose results are looking good for Celgene.
Known as OPTIMISMM, the study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Pomalyst (pomalidomise) plus Takeda’s Velcade (bortezomib) and low-dose dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
The trial is the only phase III study to date investigating a triple combination in patients who have all received prior therapy – Revlimid – and according to the biotech, this particular population of patients is witnessing a growing unmet medical need.
Although data is yet to be fully released, Paul Richardson, clinical programme leader and director of clinical research at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, said: “The OPTIMISMM results confirm the expanding role of pomalidomide in previously treated multiple myeloma patients.”
Celgene also claimed that the triple therapy achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival verses the comparator arm. The safety profile was also consistent with previously reported data.
Richardson added: “We see the PVd combination as an important step in improving care, and especially for patients previously treated with Revlimid in this setting.”
Pomalyst (pomalidomide) – Celgene’s second biggest earner – brought in $1.6bn for the biotech last year, an increase of 23% from $1.3bn seen in 2016.
Celgene are now hoping that its new triple therapy has the potential to boost sales even further in the multiple myeloma market if all goes well.