Novocure announces results from Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial
Novocure (NVCR) announced that results from the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial of Tumor Treating Fields therapy for pancreatic cancer will be presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology, ASCO, Annual Meeting in Chicago and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival for patients treated with TTFields. TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel demonstrated improvement in several secondary endpoints including the one-year survival rate and pain-free survival. The one-year survival rate showed a statistically significant improvement in the TTFields concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel treated group with compared to those who received gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone. Patients treated with TTFields concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel had a median pain-free survival of 15.2 months compared to a median 9.1 months in the group treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone. This is a statistically significant 6.1-month extension in pain-free survival. Pain-free survival was defined as the time from baseline until an increase of 20 or more points was reported by patients on a visual scale for pain or until death.
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Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Electron Rocket With Busy Year Ahead
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket continued its successful launch history this week by inserting the BlackSky Gen-3 satellite into a low-Earth-orbit target, 292 miles above the Earth. This is the seventh successful launch Electron has made this year, but the schedule is only going to accelerate from here. There are already a further 14 launches planned for the rest of 2025, with two more slated for 2026, and a further 10 within a 2025-2027 launch window. Rocket Lab has been developing its Electron rocket design for over a decade and has been successfully launching payloads for customers since the end of 2018. Although the industry has been dominated by larger rocket developers, like SpaceX, Rocket Lab has continually championed the smaller rocket industry. In April, it argued that there was a value in being able to control the orbital insertion angle, instead of just ride-sharing on someone else's payload in a larger rocket design, like a Falcon 9, or future Starship. Credit: Rocket Lab And Electron keeps proving the management right. Rocket Lab is ramping up its launch schedule to show it can be a responsive and prolific launch vehicle operator. The last Electron launch was a mere two weeks previously on May 17. It also managed three launches in March from the same launch site complex in Mahia, New Zealand. The BlackSky AI-surveillance satellite is the seventh of more than 20 planned launches this year. The launches are spread across a few different companies, mostly launching satellites into low Earth orbit. However, in 2025 alone it will also complete a joint mission with MIT to send an atmospheric probe to Venus and complete a contract for the U.S. Space Force to show its responsiveness to rapid launch requirements. Most of the upcoming launches will be from the same New Zealand-based launch complex, though a couple are slated to launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia. Building on these successes, Rocket Lab plans to introduce its larger Neutron rocket before the end of 2025. It will have a payload up to 25 times that of Electron, and a reusable first stage, in a similar fashion to SpaceX's Falcon 9—though Falcon 9 can still carry substantially more cargo into orbit. This will represent Rocket Lab stepping into the medium payload space, one that the company feels will complement its existing small payload launch vehicle.
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Single infusion of CARVYKTI®▼ (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) delivered lasting treatment-free remissions for at least five years in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma
New long-term CARTITUDE-1 data show one-third of patients treated with cilta-cel remain progression-free at five years1 CARTITUDE-4 analysis shows overall survival and progression-free benefits in standard and high-risk subgroups across prior lines of treatment2 BEERSE, BELGIUM, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, today announced new long-term follow-up data from the Phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 study demonstrating 33 percent (n=32) of patients in the study (n=97) with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with CARVYKTI®▼ (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) achieved progression-free survival (PFS) of five years or more with a single infusion and no maintenance or subsequent anti-myeloma therapy.1 These data underscore Johnson & Johnson's dedication to advancing transformative therapies that aim to reshape the treatment landscape for patients with multiple myeloma. In a subset of 12 patients who underwent serial evaluations at a single site, all were minimal residual disease (MRD) negative (at least 10–5 threshold) and imaging negative throughout five years of post-treatment follow-up.1 Findings were featured in an oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract #7507). The data were also simultaneously published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology.3 'This new evidence shows how a single infusion of cilta-cel can help patients survive without disease progression much longer than previously thought possible in this setting, and without any maintenance or subsequent treatment,' said Peter M. Vorhees, M.D., Clinical Professor of Hematology and Oncology at Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Institute at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.* 'In a heavily pre-treated population, a third of patients remained treatment- and progression-free for at least five years.' The Phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 study (n=97) evaluated cilta-cel for the treatment of heavily pre-treated patients with RRMM.1 Patients who remained progression-free for at least five years (n=32) had a median of six prior lines of therapy and included subgroups with high-risk cytogenetics (23.3 percent), extramedullary disease (12.5 percent), triple-class refractory disease (90.6 percent), and penta-drug refractory disease (46.9 percent).1 At a median follow-up of 61.3 months, median overall survival (OS) was 60.7 months (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 41.9, not estimable [NE]), highlighting the depth and durability of response with cilta-cel.1 With an additional ~28 months median follow-up, the safety profile in CARTITUDE-1 was consistent with the known safety profile of cilta-cel, with no new safety signals observed.1 There were two newly reported second primary malignancies (both solid tumours), two additional neurologic events, not related to cilta-cel, including one case each of encephalopathy and taste disorder, four new-onset Grade 3 infections (not related to cilta-cel), and no new Parkinsonism events or cranial nerve palsies.1 'The latest results from the CARTITUDE-1 study mark a major milestone in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, with a single infusion of cilta-cel delivering unprecedented long-term outcomes,' said Ester in't Groen, EMEA Therapeutic Area Head Haematology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'In a patient population where median overall survival has traditionally been around one year, it is promising to see many people now living beyond five years - a testament to the transformative potential of cilta-cel.' Additional data from another cilta-cel study, CARTITUDE-4, also presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, evaluated PFS and OS versus standard of care (SOC) in prespecified subgroups, including patients with standard and high-risk cytogenetics, extramedullary disease, and by line of therapy (Abstract #7539).2 Results demonstrated that cilta-cel improved PFS and OS across subgroups versus SOC. In patients with standard risk-disease after 1 to 3 prior lines of treatment, PFS curves indicate stability in survival rates.2 'Across our multiple myeloma portfolio and pipeline, we are shifting from treating to progression to treating to cure,' said Jordan Schecter, M.D., Vice President, Research & Development, Multiple Myeloma, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'Our focus is to extend patient survival, and based on our expertise of the disease biology, develop treatment regimens with curative potential.' Results will also be presented at the upcoming European Hematology Association (EHA) 2025 Congress. About CARTITUDE-1CARTITUDE-1 (NCT03548207) is a Phase 1b/2, open-label, multicentre study evaluating the efficacy and safety of cilta-cel in adults with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), 99 percent of whom were refractory to the last line of treatment; 88 percent of whom were triple-class refractory, meaning their cancer did not or no longer responds to an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an anti-CD38 antibody.4,5 The primary objective of the Phase 1b portion of the study, involving 29 patients, was to characterise the safety and confirm the dose of cilta-cel, informed by the first-in-human study with LCAR-B38M CAR-T cells (LEGEND-2).4 Based on the safety profile observed in this portion of the study, outpatient dosing is being evaluated in additional CARTITUDE studies. The Phase 2 portion of the study is evaluating the efficacy of cilta-cel with overall response as the primary endpoint.4 The study involved patients with heavily pretreated RRMM who historically have an expected median progression-free survival of <6 months and median overall survival of ~1 year.4 About CARTITUDE-4 CARTITUDE-4 (NCT04181827) is the first international, randomised, open-label Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of cilta-cel versus pomalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (PVd) or daratumumab, pomalidomide and dexamethasone (DPd) in adult patients with relapsed and lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma who received one to three prior lines of therapy, including a PI and an IMiD.6 Patients were randomised to receive either a sequence of apheresis, bridging therapy, lymphodepletion and cilta-cel (n=208) or standard of care (SOC), which included PVd or DPd (n=211).7 The primary outcome measure for the study is progression free survival (PFS), defined as the time from the date of randomisation to the date of first documented disease progression, as defined in the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria, or death due to any cause.6 Safety, overall survival (OS), minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate and overall response rate are secondary endpoints.6 About Cilta-cel Cilta-cel is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed, genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy that involves reprogramming a patient's own T-cells with a transgene encoding chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that directs the CAR-positive T-cells to eliminate cells that express BCMA.7 BCMA is primarily expressed on the surface of malignant multiple myeloma B-lineage cells, as well as late-stage B-cells and plasma cells.8 The cilta-cel CAR protein features two BCMA-targeting single domains designed to confer high avidity against human BCMA.7 Upon binding to BCMA-expressing cells, the CAR promotes T-cell activation, expansion, and elimination of target cells.9 In April 2024, the European Commission (EC) approved an indication extension for cilta-cel for the treatment of adults with RRMM who have received at least one prior therapy, including an iMiD and a PI, have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy, and are refractory to lenalidomide. In April 2024, cilta-cel was approved in the U.S. for the second-line treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma who have received at least one prior line of therapy including a PI, an iMiD, and who are refractory to lenalidomide. In December 2017, Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, entered into an exclusive worldwide licence and collaboration agreement with Legend Biotech USA, Inc., to develop and commercialise cilta-cel.10 For a full list of adverse events and information on dosage and administration, contraindications and other precautions when using cilta-cel please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics.7 In line with European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulations for new medicines and those given conditional approval, cilta-cel is subject to additional monitoring.7 About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is currently an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.11,12 In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells continue to proliferate, accumulating in the body and crowding out normal blood cells, often causing bone destruction and other serious complications.13 In the European Union, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022, and more than 22,700 patients died.14 Patients living with multiple myeloma experience relapses which become more frequent with each line of therapy while remissions become progressively shorter.15,16,17 Whilst some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, others can have common signs and symptoms of the disease, which can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, fatigue, high calcium levels, infections, or kidney problems.18,19 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 Follow us at Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen-Cilag Limited, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and Janssen Research & Development, LLC are Johnson & Johnson companies. 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 cilta-cel. 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 materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of 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; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes in behaviour 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 most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. * Dr Peter M. Vorhees, M.D., Clinical Professor of Hematology and Oncology at Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Institute at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Janssen-Cilag International NV; he has not been paid for any media work. ### 1 Voorhees, P. Long-term (≥5 year) remission and survival after treatment with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in CARTITUDE-1 patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Oral presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; May 30 – June 3, 2025.2 Sidana, S. Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) vs standard of care (SOC) in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM): CARTITUDE-4 survival subgroup analyses. Oral presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; May 30 – June 3, 2025.3 Voorhees, P. Long-term (≥5 year) remission and survival after treatment with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in CARTITUDE-1 patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). J Clin Oncol. 43, 7507-7505. DOI:10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.7507 4 A Study of JNJ-68284528, a Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell (CAR-T) Therapy Directed Against B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (CARTITUDE-1). Available at: Study Details | A Study of JNJ-68284528, a Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell (CAR-T) Therapy Directed Against B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma | Last accessed: May 2025.5 Lin Y, et al. CARTITUDE-1 final results: Phase 1b/2 study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Oral presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2023.6 A Study Comparing JNJ-68284528, a CAR-T Therapy Directed Against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA), Versus Pomalidomide, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone (PVd) or Daratumumab, Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone (DPd) in Participants With Relapsed and Lenalidomide-Refractory Multiple Myeloma (CARTITUDE4). Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.7 European Medicines Agency. CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.8 Cho, et al. Targeting B Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) in Multiple Myeloma: Potential Uses of BCMA-Based Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2018;10(9):1821. 9 Tai, et al. Targeting B-cell maturation antigen in multiple myeloma. Immunotherapy 2015;7(11):1187-1199. 10 Janssen Enters Worldwide Collaboration and License Agreement with Chinese Company Legend Biotech to Develop Investigational CAR-T Anti-Cancer Therapy. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.11 Abdi, et al. Drug resistance in multiple myeloma: latest findings on molecular mechanisms. Oncotarget 2013;4(12):2186-2207.12 American Society of Clinical Oncology. Multiple myeloma: introduction. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025. 13 City of Hope. Multiple Myeloma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025. 14 ECIS. European Cancer Information System. Estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 2022, by country. Multiple myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.15 Bhatt P, Kloock C, Comenzo R. Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Available Therapies and Clinical Scenarios Encountered in Myeloma Relapse. Curr Oncol. 2023;30(2):2322-2347.16 Hernández-Rivas JÁ, et al. The changing landscape of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM): fundamentals and controversies. Biomark Res. 2022;10(1):1-23.17 Gavriatopoulou M, et al. Metabolic Disorders in Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(21):11430.18 American Cancer Society. What is Multiple Myeloma? Last accessed: May 2025.19 American Cancer Society. Multiple Myeloma Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. Last accessed: May 2025 CONTACT: Media contact: Jenni Mildon jmildon@ +44 7920 418 552 Investor contact: Lauren Johnson investor-relations@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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New analyses reinforce long-term benefit of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) subcutaneous-based quadruplet regimen for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Sustained MRD negativity (10-5) rates at 24 months or longer were more than doubled in transplant eligible patients treated with daratumumab-VRd vs VRd alone in the Phase 3 PERSEUS study1 Data from the Phase 3 CEPHEUS study show daratumumab-VRd significantly reduced the risk of progression or death by 49 percent vs VRd alone in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed patients2 BEERSE, BELGIUM, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, today announced data from two studies highlighting that DARZALEX® (daratumumab) subcutaneous (SC) formulation with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (daratumumab-VRd) demonstrated deep and sustained minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rates, and improved long-term progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), regardless of transplant status.1,2 Findings were highlighted as oral presentations of an analysis of sustained MRD in transplant-eligible patients from the Phase 3 PERSEUS study (Abstract #7501) and a subgroup analysis of transplant-ineligible patients in the Phase 3 CEPHEUS study (Abstract #7516) at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.1,2 'Daratumumab-based quadruplet regimens are redefining frontline treatment in multiple myeloma, offering the potential for deeper, more durable responses from the start, bringing patients closer to long-term remission,' said Ester in't Groen, EMEA Therapeutic Area Head Haematology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'The latest data presented at ASCO further support the role of the PERSEUS and CEPHEUS regimens as a standard of care in patients with newly diagnosed disease, regardless of transplant eligibility.' A new analysis from the Phase 3 PERSEUS study shows the addition of daratumumab-VRd followed by a maintenance regimen of daratumumab SC with lenalidomide (daratumumab-R), led to improved and deepened rates of overall and sustained MRD negativity (10-5) compared to VRd induction and consolidation with R maintenance.1 At a median follow-up of 47.5 months, sustained MRD negativity (10-5) rates were more than doubled with daratumumab-VRd followed by daratumumab-R maintenance compared to VRd and R maintenance at both 12 months or longer (64.8 percent vs 29.7 percent; odds ratio, 4.42; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 3.22–6.08; p<0.0001) and 24 months or longer (55.8 percent vs 22.6 percent; odds ratio [OR], 4.36, 95 percent CI, 3.15–6.05, p<0.0001).1 Among patients achieving sustained MRD negativity for 12 months or longer, the 48-month PFS rate for daratumumab-VRd followed by daratumumab-R maintenance was 95.3 percent compared to 94.2 percent for VRd and R maintenance (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95 percent CI,0.3–2.3)—reinforcing the importance of achieving sustained MRD negativity for prolonged disease remission.1 'The data show that daratumumab-VRd followed by a daratumumab-R maintenance regimen is a highly effective treatment option for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma,' said Philippe Moreau, M.D., head of the Hematology Department, University Hospital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France and presenting author.* 'The depth and durability of MRD negativity observed—paired with high rates of progression-free survival at four years—underscore the long-term benefit the daratumumab SC-based regimen can offer patients early in their treatment journey.' Additional data from Phase 3 CEPHEUS study explore the benefits of daratumumab SC in transplant-ineligible patients across cytogenetic risk status The post-hoc analysis of the Phase 3 CEPHEUS study focused exclusively on transplant-ineligible patients, reinforcing that adding daratumumab SC to VRd significantly deepens response and prolongs PFS compared to VRd alone in this patient population.2 At a median follow-up of 58.7 months, patients receiving daratumumab-VRd achieved markedly higher overall MRD negativity rates at the 10⁻⁵ sensitivity threshold with 60.4 percent vs 39.3 percent with VRd (OR, 2.37; 95 percent CI, 1.47–3.80; p=0.0004).2 Furthermore, treatment with daratumumab-VRd resulted in high MRD-negativity rates at the 10⁻⁶ threshold with 45.8 percent compared to 26.9 percent with VRd (OR, 2.28; 95 percent CI, 1.40–3.73; p=0.0010).2 These deeper responses translated into improved long-term outcomes, with 69.0 percent of patients remaining progression-free at 54-months when treated with daratumumab-VRd vs 48.0 percent with VRd (HR, 0.51; 95 percent CI, 0.35–0.74; p=0.0003).2 Overall survival (OS) numerically favoured daratumumab-VRd (HR, 0.66; 95 percent CI, 0.42–1.03, p=0.0682), with an even greater benefit observed after censoring for COVID-19-related deaths (HR, 0.55; 95 percent CI, 0.34–0.90, p=0.0159).2 Additional data presented at ASCO included a subgroup analysis of the CEPHEUS trial for both transplant-ineligible and deferred NDMM patients who were considered high-risk for cytogenetic abnormalities (Abstract #7529).3 At a median follow-up of 58.7 months, overall MRD negativity rate was improved for patients with standard risk in daratumumab-VRd vs VRd.3 Although rates of MRD negativity by treatment arm in patients with protocol-defined high-risk were comparable, PFS trended toward improvement with daratumumab-VRd.3 'Across multiple studies, the growing body of data on daratumumab-based regimens indicates impressive, deep responses and meaningful progression-free survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, including high-risk,' Jordan Schecter, M.D., Vice President, Disease Area Leader, Multiple Myeloma, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. 'These consistent results across patient populations, regardless of transplant eligibility, reinforce the role of daratumumab SC as a cornerstone of frontline therapy.' In the PERSEUS and CEPHEUS studies, the safety profiles were consistent with the known safety profile for daratumumab SC.1,2,3 Safety results of daratumumab-VRd in the PERSEUS study were previously reported in The New England Journal of Medicine.4 The most common haematologic adverse reactions (≥20 percent) in patients with multiple myeloma who received daratumumab-VRd vs VRd included neutropenia (69.2 percent vs 58.8 percent), thrombocytopenia (48.4 percent vs 34.3 percent), and anaemia (22.2 percent vs 20.7 percent).4 Similarly, in the CEPHEUS study, daratumumab-VRd showed no additional safety concerns in the transplant-ineligible subgroup compared with the intent to treat population.2 The most common Grade 3/4 haematologic treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were neutropenia (43.8 percent vs 31.7 percent), thrombocytopenia (30.6 percent vs 23.2 percent) and anaemia (12.5 percent vs 12.7 percent).2 About the PERSEUS and CEPHEUS studiesThe PERSEUS study (NCT03710603) is being conducted in collaboration with the European Myeloma Network as the sponsor.5 PERSEUS is an ongoing, randomised, open-label, Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (daratumumab-VRd) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) followed by D-R maintenance vs standard bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd) and ASCT followed by R maintenance in patients with transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) (n=355).4 The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints include overall complete response or better rate, overall minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (in patients with complete response or better) and overall survival (OS).4 Daratumumab subcutaneous (SC) formulation was discontinued after at least 24 months of D-R maintenance therapy in patients who had a complete response or better and had sustained MRD negative status for at least 12 months.4 The median age is 61.0 (range, 32-70) years for patients in the daratumumab-VRd arm and 59.0 (range, 31-70) years for patients in the VRd arm.4 The study is being conducted in 13 countries in Europe and Australia.5 On 23 October 2024, an indication extension for daratumumab-VRd was approved by the European Commission for NDMM who are eligible for ASCT, based on the results of the PERSEUS study.6,7 CEPHEUS (NCT03652064) is an ongoing, randomised, open-label, Phase 3 study comparing SC daratumumab-VRd with standard VRd.8,9 The trial has enrolled 395 patients with NDMM who are either ineligible for stem cell transplantation (SCT) or for whom SCT is not planned.9 The primary endpoint is overall MRD-negativity rate.9 The minimum age for participation is 18 years for patients in both the daratumumab-VRd arm and VRd arm, with a median patient age of 70 (range 31-80).8 The study is being conducted in 13 countries across North America, South America and Europe.9 On 7 April 2025, an indication extension for daratumumab-VRd was approved by the European Commission for NDMM, based on the results of the CEPHEUS study.9,10 About daratumumab and daratumumab SC Johnson & Johnson is committed to exploring the potential of daratumumab for patients with multiple myeloma across the spectrum of the disease. In August 2012, Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, and Genmab A/S entered a worldwide agreement, which granted Johnson & Johnson an exclusive licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise daratumumab. Since launch, daratumumab has become a foundational therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma, having been used in the treatment of more than 618,000 patients worldwide.11 Daratumumab is the only CD38-directed antibody approved to be given subcutaneously to treat patients with multiple myeloma.12 Daratumumab SC is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme's ENHANZE® drug delivery technology.12 CD38 is a surface protein that is present in high numbers on multiple myeloma cells, regardless of the stage of disease.12 Daratumumab binds to CD38 and inhibits tumour cell growth causing myeloma cell death.12 Daratumumab may also have an effect on normal cells.12 Data across ten Phase 3 clinical trials, in both the frontline and relapsed settings, have shown that daratumumab-based regimens resulted in significant improvement in progression-free survival and/or overall survival.8,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 For further information on daratumumab, please see the Summary of Product Characteristics at: About Multiple MyelomaMultiple myeloma is currently an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.21,22 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells continue to proliferate, accumulating in the body and crowding out normal blood cells, as well as often causing bone destruction and other serious complications.22 In the European Union, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022, and more than 22,700 patients died.23 Patients living with multiple myeloma experience relapses which become more frequent with each line of therapy 24,25 while remissions become progressively shorter.24,25,26 Whilst some patients with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, others can have common signs and symptoms of the disease, which can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, fatigue, high calcium levels, infections, or kidney damage.27 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 Follow us at Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen-Cilag Limited, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and Janssen Research & Development, LLC are Johnson & Johnson companies. 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 daratumumab. 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 materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of 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; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes in behaviour 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 most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. *Philippe Moreau, M.D., head of the Hematology Department, University Hospital Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France, has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Janssen-Cilag International NV; he has not been paid for any media work. 1 Moreau P, et al. Subcutaneous daratumumab (Dara) + bortezomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (VRd) with Dara + lenalidomide (DR) maintenance in transplant-eligible (TE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM): analysis of sustained minimal residual disease negativity in the phase 3 PERSEUS trial. Oral presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; May 30 – June 3, 2025.2 Facon T, et al. Daratumumab plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DVRd) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM): Subgroup analysis of transplant-ineligible (TIE) patients in the phase 3 CEPHEUS study. Oral presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; May 30 – June 3, 2025.3 Bahlis N.J, Daratumumab + bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DVRd) vs VRd in transplant-ineligible (TIE)/transplant-deferred (TD) newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM): phase 3 CEPHEUS trial cytogenetic subgroup analysis. Poster presentation. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; May 30 – June 3, 2025.4 Sonneveld P, et al. Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone for Multiple Myeloma. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:301-313.5 Daratumumab, VELCADE (bortezomib), lenalidomide and dexamethasone compared to VELCADE, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in subjects with previously untreated multiple myeloma (Perseus). NCT03710603. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.6 Rodríguez-Otero P, et al. Daratumumab (DARA) + bortezomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (VRd) in transplant-eligible (TE) patients (pts) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM): analysis of minimal residual disease (MRD) in the PERSEUS trial. 2024 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. June 3, 2024.7 Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine EMEA. DARZALEX® (daratumumab)-SC based quadruplet regimen approved by the European Commission for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are transplant-eligible. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.8 Usmani S Z, et al. Daratumumab + Bortezomib/Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone in Patients With Transplant-ineligible or Transplant-deferred Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Results of the Phase 3 CEPHEUS Study. Oral presentation. 21st International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting. September 25 – 28, 2024.9 A Study Comparing Daratumumab, VELCADE (Bortezomib), Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (D-VRd) With VELCADE, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (VRd) in Participants With Untreated Multiple Myeloma and for Whom Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant is Not Planned as Initial Therapy. NCT03652064. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.10 European Commission approves Johnson & Johnson's subcutaneous DARZALEX® (daratumumab)-based quadruplet regimen for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, regardless of transplant eligibility. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.11 Johnson & Johnson [data on file]. RF-430506. Number of patients treated with DARZALEX® worldwide as of 30 June 2024.12 Janssen EMEA. European Commission Grants Marketing Authorisation for DARZALEX® (Daratumumab) Subcutaneous Formulation for All Currently Approved Daratumumab Intravenous Formulation Indications. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.13 Moreau P, et al. Bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone with or without daratumumab before and after autologous stem-cell transplantation for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (CASSIOPEIA): a randomised, openlabel, phase 3 study. Lancet 2019;394(10192):29-38.14 Facon T, et al. MAIA Trial Investigators. Daratumumab plus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone for Untreated Myeloma. N Engl J Med 2019;380(22):2104-2115.15 Mateos MV, et al. Overall survival with daratumumab, bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (ALCYONE): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. The Lancet 2020;395:P132-141.16 Dimopoulos MA, et al. APOLLO Trial Investigators. Daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone in previously treated multiple myeloma (APOLLO): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2021;22(6):801-812.17 Palladini G, et al. Daratumumab plus CyBorD for patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis: safety run-in results of ANDROMEDA. Blood 2020;2;136(1):71-80.18 Chari A, et al. Daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Blood 2017;130(8):974-981.19 Bahlis NJ, et al. Daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: extended follow-up of POLLUX, a randomized, open-label, phase 3 study. Leukemia 2020;34(7):1875-1884.20 Mateos MV, et al. Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in Patients With Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma: Three-year Follow-up of CASTOR. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2020;20(8):509-518.21 Abdi J, et al. Drug resistance in multiple myeloma: latest findings on molecular mechanisms. Oncotarget 2013;4(12):2186-2207.22 American Society of Clinical Oncology. Multiple myeloma: introduction. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.23 ECIS - European Cancer Information System. Estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 2022, by country. Multiple myeloma. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025.24 Bhatt P, Kloock C, Comenzo R. Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Available Therapies and Clinical Scenarios Encountered in Myeloma Relapse. Curr Oncol. 2023;30(2):2322-2347.25 Hernández-Rivas JÁ, et al. The changing landscape of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM): fundamentals and controversies. Biomark Res. 2022;10(1):1-23.26 Gavriatopoulou M, et al. Metabolic Disorders in Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(21):11430.27 American Cancer Society. Multiple myeloma: early detection, diagnosis and staging. Available at: Last accessed: May 2025. CP-520659 May 2025 CONTACT: Media contact: Jenni Mildon jmildon@ +44 7920 418 552 Investor contact: Lauren Johnson investor-relations@
