Bristol Myers Squibb’s Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) Becomes First CAR T Cell Therapy Approved in the European Union in Earlier Lines for Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma

By: Bristol Myers Squibb via Business Wire

March 20, 2024 at 16:45 PM EDT

Abecma demonstrated superiority over standard regimens in the Phase 3 KarMMa-3 trial, with a 51% reduction in risk of disease progression or death and a well-established safety profile with mostly low-grade and transient occurrences of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity

Approval reinforces Bristol Myers Squibb’s commitment to bring the transformative potential of cell therapy into earlier lines of treatment

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted approval to Abecma^® (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI), and an anti-CD38 antibody and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. Abecma is the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy approved in the European Union (EU) for use in earlier lines of therapy for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. This expanded approval of Abecma covers all EU member states.* In the EU, Abecma has maintained its Orphan Designation for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

“Today’s approval in the European Union marks an exciting milestone in our efforts to bring the transformative potential of cell therapies into earlier lines of treatment,” said Monica Shaw, M.D., senior vice president and head of European Markets, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Abecma is an important treatment option for patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies and is leading the way toward a promising shift in the treatment paradigm.”

The current treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma includes IMiDs, PIs, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies; however, many patients go on to relapse and/or become refractory to these classes of therapy. With increased use of the three main classes of therapy as combination regimens, more patients are becoming triple-class exposed earlier in their treatment journey. There have historically been limited options for patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, and patients tend to have poor outcomes with a median progression-free survival of three to five months.

“As patients with multiple myeloma become exposed to the three main classes of therapy earlier in treatment and still experience relapsed and/or refractory disease, it is critical that we continue to add innovative treatment options to our arsenal that can potentially provide long-term disease control,” said Paula Rodriguez-Otero, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Hematology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. “This expanded approval of ide-cel represents key progress in bringing a personalized therapy that delivers significantly improved, durable outcomes to patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after two prior therapies.”

With a significant increase in manufacturing capacity and over 90% manufacturing success rate globally, Bristol Myers Squibb is prepared to meet increased demand for Abecma. The company is focused on making Abecma available in the EU for this indication, including completion of reimbursement procedures.

Based on the KarMMa-3 study, Abecma is also the first cell therapy approved in Switzerland for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior lines of therapies and the first cell therapy approved in Japan for adult patients with triple-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after two prior lines of therapy.

Abecma is also approved in the U.S. for adult patients with triple-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy and approved in Great Britain and Israel for adult patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after three or more prior lines of therapy. A supplemental Biologics License Application for Abecma for triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma is currently under review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recently voted positively that Abecma demonstrated a favorable benefit/risk profile for patients with triple-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 KarMMa-3 study.

*Centralized Marketing Authorization does not include approval in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

Abecma KarMMa-3 Clinical Trial Results

The EC approval of Abecma is based on results from KarMMa-3, a pivotal Phase 3, open-label, global, randomized controlled study evaluating Abecma compared to standard combination regimens in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who received two to four prior lines of treatment, including an IMiD, a PI, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (triple-class exposed), and who were refractory to the last treatment regimen.

At a pre-specified interim analysis with a median follow-up of 18.6 months, treatment with Abecma (n=254) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS), the study’s primary endpoint, compared to standard regimens (n=132), with a median PFS of 13.8 months (95% CI: 11.8-16.1) versus 4.4 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.8) (HR: 0.49 [95% CI: 0.38-0.63]; p<0.0001), representing a 51% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death. Results from the primary analysis, with a median follow-up of 30.9 months, were consistent with the interim analysis and represent the longest follow-up for a randomized Phase 3 CAR T cell therapy in this patient population. Treatment with Abecma also showed a significant improvement in overall response rate (ORR) with the majority (71.3% [95% CI: 65.7-76.8]) of patients treated with Abecma achieving a response, and 43.7% achieving a complete or stringent complete response. In comparison, less than half of patients (42.4% [95% CI: 34-50.9]) who received standard regimens achieved a response, with 5.3% experiencing a complete response or stringent complete response.

The KarMMa-3 trial had a patient-centric design that allowed for crossover from standard regimens to Abecma upon confirmed disease progression, with more than half (56%) of patients in the standard regimens arm crossing over to receive Abecma as a subsequent therapy, due to disease progression while receiving standard regimens. Median overall survival (OS), a secondary endpoint of the study, was 41.4 months with Abecma (95% CI: 30.9-NR) and 37.9 months with standard regimens (95% CI: 23.4-NR) (95% CI: 0.73-1.40; HR: 1.01). Based on real-world evidence, median OS for patients with triple-class exposed relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma is approximately 13 months, underscoring the confounding impact that crossover had on the median OS observed with standard regimens in the KarMMa-3 trial.

Based on a pooled analysis of the KarMMa, CRB-401 and KarMMa-3 studies (n=409), Abecma has exhibited a well-established and consistent safety profile with mostly low-grade and transient occurrences of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. In patients treated with Abecma, any grade CRS has occurred in 84.6% of patients, with Grade ≥3 CRS occurring in 5.1% of patients and fatal (Grade 5) CRS reported in 0.7% of patients. The median time to onset of CRS was one day (range: 1 to 17) and the median duration of CRS was four days (range: 1 to 63). In the KarMMa and KarMMa-3 studies (n=353), any-grade neurotoxicity occurred in 16.1% of patients, with Grade 3/4 neurotoxicity occurring in 3.1% of patients, and no Grade 5 events reported. Median time to onset of neurotoxicity was three days (range: 1-317 days) and median duration of neurotoxicity was three days (range: 1-252 days). No cases of Parkinsonism were reported.

About Abecma

Abecma is a CAR T cell therapy that recognizes and binds to the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on the surface of multiple myeloma cells leading to CAR T cell proliferation, cytokine secretion, and subsequent cytolytic killing of BCMA-expressing cells. Abecma is the first-in-class BCMA-directed CAR T cell immunotherapy approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Please see the Important Safety Information section below, including Boxed WARNINGS for Abecma regarding CRS, neurologic toxicities, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Prolonged Cytopenia.

Abecma is being jointly developed and commercialized in the U.S. as part of a Co-Development, Co-Promotion, and Profit Share Agreement between Bristol Myers Squibb and 2seventy bio. Bristol Myers Squibb assumes sole responsibility for Abecma drug product manufacturing and commercialization outside of the U.S. The companies’ broad clinical development program for Abecma includes ongoing and planned clinical studies (KarMMa-2, KarMMa-9) for patients with multiple myeloma. For more information visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Full European Summary of Product Characteristics for Abecma is available from the EMA website at www.ema.europa.eu.

Abecma U.S. FDA-Approved Indication

ABECMA^® (idecabtagene vicleucel) is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

U.S. Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME, NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES, HLH/MAS, AND PROLONGED CYTOPENIA

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. Do not administer ABECMA to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab or tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
Neurologic Toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA, including concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor for neurologic events after treatment with ABECMA. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (HLH/MAS) including fatal and life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. HLH/MAS can occur with CRS or neurologic toxicities.
Prolonged Cytopenia with bleeding and infection, including fatal outcomes following stem cell transplantation for hematopoietic recovery, occurred following treatment with ABECMA.
ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): CRS, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with ABECMA in 85% (108/127) of patients. Grade 3 or higher CRS occurred in 9% (12/127) of patients, with Grade 5 CRS reported in one (0.8%) patient. The median time to onset of CRS, any grade, was 1 day (range: 1 - 23 days) and the median duration of CRS was 7 days (range: 1 - 63 days). The most common manifestations included pyrexia, hypotension, tachycardia, chills, hypoxia, fatigue, and headache. Grade 3 or higher events that may be associated with CRS include hypotension, hypoxia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypofibrinogenemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), atrial fibrillation, hepatocellular injury, metabolic acidosis, pulmonary edema, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and HLH/MAS.

Identify CRS based on clinical presentation. Evaluate for and treat other causes of fever, hypoxia, and hypotension. CRS has been reported to be associated with findings of HLH/MAS, and the physiology of the syndromes may overlap. In patients with progressive symptoms of CRS or refractory CRS despite treatment, evaluate for evidence of HLH/MAS.

Fifty four percent (68/127) of patients received tocilizumab (single dose: 35%; more than 1 dose: 18%). Overall, 15% (19/127) of patients received at least 1 dose of corticosteroids for treatment of CRS. All patients that received corticosteroids for CRS received tocilizumab. Ensure that a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of ABECMA.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs or symptoms of CRS and monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS for at least 4 weeks after ABECMA infusion. At the first sign of CRS, institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids as indicated.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time.

Neurologic Toxicities: Neurologic toxicities, including immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), which may be severe or life- threatening, occurred concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS following treatment with ABECMA. Neurologic toxicities occurred in 28% (36/127) of patients receiving ABECMA, including Grade 3 in 4% (5/127) of patients. One patient had ongoing Grade 2 neurotoxicity at the time of death. Two patients had ongoing Grade 1 tremor at the time of data cutoff. The median time to onset of neurotoxicity was 2 days (range: 1 - 42 days). CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity resolved in 92% (33/36) of patients with a median time to resolution of 5 days (range: 1 - 61 days). The median duration of neurotoxicity was 6 days (range: 1 - 578) in all patients including 3 patients with ongoing neurotoxicity. Thirty-four patients with neurotoxicity had CRS with onset in 3 patients before, 29 patients during, and 2 patients after CRS. The most frequently reported manifestations of CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity include encephalopathy, tremor, aphasia, and delirium. Grade 4 neurotoxicity and cerebral edema in 1 patient, Grade 3 myelitis, and Grade 3 parkinsonism have been reported with ABECMA in another study in multiple myeloma.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities and monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities for at least 4 weeks after ABECMA infusion and treat promptly. Rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic toxicity should be managed with supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms occur at any time.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS): HLH/MAS occurred in 4% (5/127) of patients receiving ABECMA. One patient developed fatal multi-organ HLH/MAS with CRS and another patient developed fatal bronchopulmonary aspergillosis with contributory HLH/MAS. Three cases of Grade 2 HLH/MAS resolved. All events of HLH/MAS had onset within 10 days of receiving ABECMA with a median onset of 7 days (range: 4 - 9 days) and occurred in the setting of ongoing or worsening CRS. Two patients with HLH/MAS had overlapping neurotoxicity. The manifestations of HLH/MAS include hypotension, hypoxia, multiple organ dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and cytopenia. HLH/MAS is a potentially life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate if not recognized early and treated. Treatment of HLH/MAS should be administered per institutional guidelines.

ABECMA REMS: Due to the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS. Further information is available at www.AbecmaREMS.com or 1-888-423-5436.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of ABECMA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in ABECMA.

Infections: ABECMA should not be administered to patients with active infections or inflammatory disorders. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections occurred in patients after ABECMA infusion. Infections (all grades) occurred in 70% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 23% of patients. Overall, 4 patients had Grade 5 infections (3%); 2 patients (1.6%) had Grade 5 events of pneumonia, 1 patient (0.8%) had Grade 5 bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and 1 patient (0.8%) had cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after ABECMA infusion and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic, pre-emptive, and/or therapeutic antimicrobials according to standard institutional guidelines.

Febrile neutropenia was observed in 16% (20/127) of patients after ABECMA infusion and may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and other supportive care.

Viral Reactivation: CMV infection resulting in pneumonia and death has occurred following ABECMA administration. Monitor and treat for CMV reactivation in accordance with clinical guidelines. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against plasma cells. Perform screening for CMV, HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.

Prolonged Cytopenias: In the clinical study, 41% of patients (52/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 49% (62/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia that had not resolved by Month 1 following ABECMA infusion. In 83% (43/52) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia after Month 1, the median time to recovery from ABECMA infusion was 1.9 months. In 65% (40/62) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, the median time to recovery was 2.1 months.

Three patients underwent stem cell therapy for hematopoietic reconstitution due to prolonged cytopenia. Two of the three patients died from complications of prolonged cytopenia. Monitor blood counts prior to and after ABECMA infusion. Manage cytopenia with myeloid growth factor and blood product transfusion support.

Hypogammaglobulinemia: Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse event in 21% (27/127) of patients; laboratory IgG levels fell below 500 mg/dl after infusion in 25% (32/127) of patients treated with ABECMA.

Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with ABECMA and administer IVIG for IgG <400 mg/dl. Manage appropriately per local institutional guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis.

The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or after ABECMA treatment has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during ABECMA treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with ABECMA.

Secondary Malignancies: Patients treated with ABECMA may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor life-long for secondary malignancies. If a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-888-805-4555 to obtain instructions on patient samples to collect for testing of secondary malignancy of T cell origin.

Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery: Due to the potential for neurologic events, patients receiving ABECMA are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following ABECMA infusion. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, during this initial period.

Adverse Reactions: The most common nonlaboratory adverse reactions include CRS, infections – pathogen unspecified, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, hypogammaglobulinemia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, viral infections, encephalopathy, edema, pyrexia, cough, headache, and decreased appetite.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide.

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About Bristol Myers Squibb

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Forward-Looking Statement of Bristol Myers Squibb

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that the outcome of pricing and reimbursement negotiations in individual countries in Europe may delay or limit the commercial potential of Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel) for the additional indication described in this release, any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and that continued approval of Abecma for such additional indication described in this release may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials, and whether Abecma for such additional indication described in this release will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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