&w=3840&q=100)
Glenmark's cancer drug shows strong results in early trial for Myeloma
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' arm, Ichnos Glenmark Innovation (IGI), shared encouraging early results from a new cancer drug being tested on patients with a difficult form of blood cancer—relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting.
The drug, called ISB 2001, is the first of its kind to target three markers (BCMA, CD38, and CD3) in a single treatment and has shown strong response rates in patients who have already undergone multiple prior therapies.
In the dose-escalation stage of the trial, 35 patients were treated, most of whom had received a median of six prior therapies. Among 33 patients who received active doses (50 micrograms and above), the overall response rate (ORR) was 79 per cent, and 30 per cent achieved a complete or near-complete response.
Safety data showed that cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 69 per cent of patients, mostly at Grade 1 severity. Four patients experienced Grade 2 CRS, and no cases of severe CRS or dose-limiting toxicities were reported. One patient experienced a mild neurological side effect, and infection rates remained low.
The trial is continuing with a dose-expansion phase to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose and the optimal dosing schedule.
According to Professor Hang Quach of the University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, ISB 2001 showed activity in patients who had previously received multiple treatment types, including T-cell redirecting and BCMA-targeted therapies.
Lida Pacaud, Chief Medical Officer at IGI, said the current focus is on identifying the appropriate dose and expanding the trial to a broader patient population.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
19 hours ago
- Business Standard
NB.1.8.1 Covid-19 variant makes up 10% cases globally: Should you worry?
Just when many believed Covid-19 was in the rear-view mirror, a new variant has quietly gained ground. NB.1.8.1, first detected in China in January 2025, now accounts for one in ten Covid-19 cases globally—up from just one in forty a month ago. It has spread across twenty-two countries so far. What is NB.1.8.1 variant? According to the World Health Organization, NB.1.8.1 is among several fast-evolving Omicron-lineage variants. From January to May 2025, global dominance shifted from XEC to LP.8.1, with NB.1.8.1 now surging rapidly. The WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring due to its rise in prevalence and potential public health implications. Officials stress that while vigilance is crucial, there is no cause for alarm. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and death. How NB.1.8.1 behaves and how severe it really is NB.1.8.1 is a sublineage of the Omicron JN.1 family. It carries similar characteristics—high transmissibility, but mostly mild to moderate illness. It also includes new mutations on the spike protein, which may enhance its ability to spread and evade immunity. So far, there is no evidence to suggest NB.1.8.1 causes more severe disease, hospitalisations or death compared to previous variants. NB.1.8.1 symptoms: What to watch for Common symptoms include: Dry, persistent cough Runny or blocked nose Fatigue and general body aches Sore throat Fever or chills Headache or hoarseness in some cases Many report being able to go about daily activities but feel unusually tired and sluggish. Are vaccines still effective against NB.1.8.1? Updated vaccines, including the latest Omicron-targeted boosters, are designed to protect against the JN.1 family. While they may not prevent all infections, they continue to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and severe outcomes. Expert guidance includes: If you are over sixty, have chronic health conditions or are immunocompromised, get a booster if it has been more than six months since your last dose If you are healthy and under sixty, no new dose is required at present Use masks in public transport and crowded indoor spaces How to manage NB.1.8.1 symptoms at home In most cases, NB.1.8.1 does not require hospitalisation. Here is what helps: Rest and stay well hydrated Use paracetamol or other over-the-counter medications for fever or aches Recovery generally takes five to seven days If you are elderly or immunocompromised, speak to your doctor early. Antiviral medication is most effective within five days of the onset of symptoms. Warning signs: When to seek emergency help Seek urgent medical care if you experience any of the following: Difficulty breathing Chest pain or tightness Confusion or trouble staying awake Severe dizziness or fainting Do not panic, but stay informed Experts believe NB.1.8.1 will follow a familiar seasonal pattern seen with earlier variants—periodic surges during winter and summer months. Most infections remain mild. Vaccines continue to work. Keep an eye on symptoms, isolate if unwell, and consult your doctor when in doubt.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Glenmark's blood cancer drug ISB 2001 shows promising results in trial
Ichnos Glenmark Innovation, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on oncology, has announced promising results for an innovative drug used for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), a rare form of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in bone marrow. Coded ISB 2001, the drug demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 79% in a Phase 1 global study based on finding from patients who were administered a recommended dose. Patients who had exhausted other advanced treatments, such as CAR-T cell therapy and bi-specific antibodies, also showed encouraging results when given the drug. IGI is an alliance between the New York-based scientific research group Ichnos Sciences and Indian drug maker Glenmark. Senior haematologists say that the drug could potentially be an important candidate in the treatment of patients - who exhaust other therapy options due - to its unique mechanism of engaging the body's T cells (that are a vital part of the immune system) along with the attacking two sites on the tumour cell. Dr Shyam Rathi, consultant, clinical hematology, PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Mumbai, said: 'It can definitely be a game changer in treatment of multiple myeloma which keeps relapsing thus exhausting treatment options quickly. This new drug looks very attractive because it targets two different sites on the cancer cell and it engages the body's own T-cells.' 'We have existing bi-specific antibodies where the target is only one antigen and they develop resistance very fast. However, ISB 2001 targets the two sites on the cancer cell and we expect some better results. It looks exciting in the future.' In lay terms, ISB 2001 binds to three sites on the cancer tumour. First, the ISB 2001 activates the CD-3 T-lymphocytes, which are the cells that have the natural attacking power against tumour cells. Next, it binds to two additional sites. The first is BCMA (a protein found on myeloma cells), which is the target for bi-specific antibodies but there is also CD38, which is the binding site of the widely prescribed drug called daratumumab, branded as Darzalex by Johnson & Johnson. Glenmark, which is pinning a lot of hopes on the new drug, is in advanced talks with multiple global Big Pharma companies for a licensing deal, Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Saldanha told analysts over an earnings call recently. 'The discussions are progressing really well, and we anticipate a positive outcome very quickly,' said Saldhana. He said a deal for ISB 2001 will 'really be transformational for Glenmark' and 'will overshadow anything else that we are doing in the near term.' 'You should see some visibility around a licensing deal pretty quickly.' Last year Ichnos and Glenmark entered into a partnership for discovery of cutting-edge therapies, specifically to treat blood related cancers and malignancies like multiple myeloma. The global market for multiple myeloma treatment is seeing a surge. The business for such drugs is expected to rise to $33 billion by 2030, up from $23.5 billion in 2023,according to Bloomberg Intelligence estimates. Hang Quach, professor of haematology at the University of Melbourne noted that the data presented on ISB 2001 highlighted the 'remarkable anti-myeloma activity of this first-in-class trispecific antibody-T cell engager in heavily pre-treated RRMM patients' including those who have exhausted other approved therapies. According to Quach, ISB 2001 has the potential 'to redefine the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma, offering new hope for patients with limited therapeutic options.' The drug demonstrated a favourable safety profile throughout the dose-escalation phase, with no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) reported.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business Standard
Glenmark's cancer drug shows strong results in early trial for Myeloma
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' arm, Ichnos Glenmark Innovation (IGI), shared encouraging early results from a new cancer drug being tested on patients with a difficult form of blood cancer—relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting. The drug, called ISB 2001, is the first of its kind to target three markers (BCMA, CD38, and CD3) in a single treatment and has shown strong response rates in patients who have already undergone multiple prior therapies. In the dose-escalation stage of the trial, 35 patients were treated, most of whom had received a median of six prior therapies. Among 33 patients who received active doses (50 micrograms and above), the overall response rate (ORR) was 79 per cent, and 30 per cent achieved a complete or near-complete response. Safety data showed that cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 69 per cent of patients, mostly at Grade 1 severity. Four patients experienced Grade 2 CRS, and no cases of severe CRS or dose-limiting toxicities were reported. One patient experienced a mild neurological side effect, and infection rates remained low. The trial is continuing with a dose-expansion phase to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose and the optimal dosing schedule. According to Professor Hang Quach of the University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, ISB 2001 showed activity in patients who had previously received multiple treatment types, including T-cell redirecting and BCMA-targeted therapies. Lida Pacaud, Chief Medical Officer at IGI, said the current focus is on identifying the appropriate dose and expanding the trial to a broader patient population.