Janssen's Innovative Bispecific Antibody Talquetamab Approved in China for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry DynamicsMultiple Myeloma (MM) is one of the common blood cancers, a malignant disease characterized by the abnormal proliferation of clonal plasma cells. It has been reported that there is recent good news in the field of multiple myeloma drugs. On June 25, Johnson & Johnson announced that its innovative treatment drug for multiple myeloma, Talquetamab Injection (brand name: Tecvayli), has officially received approval from the National Medical Products Administration.
 

Data show that Talike is a ready-to-use, weight-based subcutaneous injection bispecific antibody that redirects CD3+ T cells to BCMA-expressing myeloma cells to induce tumor cell killing. Clinical validation indicates that Talike has a high response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior lines of therapy, with even greater benefits for Chinese patients, achieving an overall response rate of 76.9%.
 

Talike is a bispecific antibody approved for the treatment of RRMM, targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3. It has previously been approved for marketing in countries or regions such as the United States and the European Union. As a monotherapy, this product is suitable for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
 

The approval of this drug in China further enriches its product portfolio in the fields of multiple myeloma and hematological tumor treatment, offering more patients the opportunity to achieve functional cure. It also provides additional treatment options for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior lines of therapy.
 

Multiple Myeloma is a common malignant tumor in the field of hematological oncology in China. Between 1990 and 2019, the incidence of this disease increased by 209%. As a highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy, almost all patients will face relapse or drug resistance during the treatment process. Therefore, it is urgent to strengthen drug development in this area. Johnson & Johnson stated that the company has been focusing on the multiple myeloma field for 20 years, always committed to meeting the growing healthcare needs with high-quality innovative solutions, promoting the establishment of new treatment standards and norms within the industry, aiming to enable patients with multiple myeloma to achieve long-term control of disease progression and have the opportunity to realize functional cure.
 

It is reported that in the field of multiple myeloma treatment, some pharmaceutical companies in China are also actively making efforts. In 2023, the New Drug Application (NDA) for Focusa (Idecabtagene Vicleucel Injection), a fully human BCMA CAR-T cell immunotherapy product jointly developed by IASO Bio and Innovent Bio, was approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. The drug is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
 

Currently, this product has been prescribed in many parts of China, including Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Heilongjiang. As a significant clinical advancement in the treatment of multiple myeloma, Focusa (Equecabtagene Autoleucel Injection) has demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety, providing higher and deeper remission for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma while continuously safeguarding these patients. Additionally, Focusa (Equecabtagene Autoleucel Injection) offers patients the convenience of a single infusion, eliminating the need for repeated dosing and the associated hassle of frequent medical visits.
 

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