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GSK’s Blenrep Wins BCMA Race, Carries Ocular Toxicity Warning

 
• By Mandy Jackson

US FDA-approved belantamab mafodotin is indicated for heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma and has a list price of $23,900 per month. Its REMS could limit initial uptake, but response rates have been encouraging.

Doctor using stethoscope on Multiple myeloma and medicine background. Futuristic technology. data hologram healthy
Belantamab mafodotin is indicated for myeloma after four prior lines of therapy • Source: Shutterstock

GlaxoSmithKline plc won the first-ever US Food and Drug Administration approval for a therapeutic targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on 5 August and plans to make Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) available before the end of the month. The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is indicated for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after at least four prior rounds of treatment, including an immunomodulatory drug, proteasome inhibitor and an anti-CD38 antibody.

The FDA approval of the first-in-class drug caps a development-acceleration plan for the drug put in place by CEO Emma Walmsley when she took over the leadership of GSK in 2017, emphasizing pharmaceutical innovation and a return to oncology

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Strong Showing For Bayer’s Pharma Business In Uncertain Times

 
• By Kevin Grogan

As CEO Anderson backs high prices for innovative drugs in Europe

Biopharma Deals ROI Has Fallen And Market Instability Could Make It Worse

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Rising biotech valuations mean return on investment on some deals is non-existent for big pharma, though certain strategies will improve chances of success, a new analysis has found.

Pipeline Watch: Six Approvals And Thirteen Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Verastem Wins Approval For Novel Drug Combo In Rare Ovarian Cancer

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The novel RAF/MEK inhibitor and FAK inhibitor are the first treatment approved specifically for KRAS-mutated recurrent low-grade serious ovarian cancer (LGSOC).

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AbbVie Pays $335m Up Front To Partner With ADARx On siRNA Therapeutics

 
• By Mandy Jackson

ADARx CEO Zhen Li told Scrip the collaborators will advance novel siRNA medicines, but ADARx retains its clinical-stage and many preclinical programs and remains open to more deals.

Bluebird, Private Equity Firms Look To Sweeten Buyout Deal

 
• By Alaric DeArment

Shareholders are being offered a flat fee of $5 per share as an alternative to $3 plus a contingent value right, which could be a more attractive option if they want cash up front.

Novo Nordisk Looks To Septerna For Oral Obesity Options

 
• By Mary Jo Laffler

Deal Snapshot: The Danish drugmaker is partnering with GPCR drug discovery expert Septerna to develop multiple small molecules for cardiometabolic targets.