In a recent development, Johnson & Johnson’s cell therapy drug, Carvykti, has surpassed its rival, Bristol Myers Squibb’s treatment Abecma, in the treatment of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approvals of both therapies, allowing patients to use them as earlier lines of treatment for multiple myeloma.
Previously, both drugs were only available to patients who had received at least four specific drug regimens for the incurable blood cancer. However, with the expanded approvals, J&J’s Carvykti has gained a clear advantage. The FDA’s expanded approval states that Carvykti can be used after just one prior line of therapy for multiple myeloma, under certain conditions. On the other hand, Abecma can be administered after at least two drug regimens for multiple myeloma.
The expanded approvals are a significant step forward for patients as they provide more options and improve outcomes for people with multiple myeloma. The disease often requires patients to switch to different drug regimens as their cancer becomes resistant to treatment or they experience relapse. With over 35,000 new cases of multiple myeloma expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024, the expanded approvals will extend the reach of both treatments to thousands of eligible patients.
Analysts have noted that Carvykti’s eligibility as a second-line treatment for multiple myeloma gives it a significant commercial advantage over Abecma. Jefferies analyst Kelly Shi believes that Carvykti’s eligibility will limit the use of other similar cell therapies in subsequent lines of therapy. Despite entering the market a year later than Abecma, Carvykti has been gaining ground in the CAR-T market for multiple myeloma. With the new FDA approval, Jefferies’ Shi expects Carvykti to capture the majority of the market share.
The FDA’s expanded approval of Carvykti could also make it a blockbuster product for Johnson & Johnson. Last year, Carvykti generated $500 million in worldwide sales, but its long-term opportunity could be around $8 billion a year. The expansion as a second-line treatment for multiple myeloma is a key market segment for achieving this revenue.
However, both Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers are facing the challenge of supply constraints. Both companies have outlined plans to boost production of their respective drugs to meet the growing demand.
In other health care technology news, Mount Sinai Health System is using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance patient care, education, and research. The organization has been exploring applications of AI for years but has recently focused on generative AI since OpenAI’s ChatGPT gained attention. Mount Sinai’s radiologists are already using AI tools to evaluate medical images and provide an extra layer of assurance. Despite the hype surrounding generative AI, Mount Sinai is taking a measured approach to its implementation and prioritizing safety, feasibility, practicality, and ethics.
As the field of AI in healthcare continues to evolve, Mount Sinai aims to assess the usefulness of AI solutions and ensure they address real problems. The organization is cautious about adopting AI algorithms without proper evaluation and governance structures in place.
Overall, the advancements in cell therapy for multiple myeloma and the use of AI in healthcare are promising developments that have the potential to improve patient outcomes and revolutionize medical practices.
