GSK reports more encouraging trial results for Blenrep

GSK unveiled encouraging results from its ‘DREAMM-8’ phase three trial on Thursday, comparing the efficacy of ‘Blenrep’, or belantamab mafodotin, in combination with pomalidomide plus dexamethasone, or PomDex, against the standard treatment of bortezomib plus PomDex in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients.

The FTSE 100 pharmaceuticals giant said the trial, designed to assess progression-free survival (PFS), reached a significant milestone as it met its primary endpoint during an interim analysis.

As a result, the trial was unblinded early based on the recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee (IDMC).

It said the combination therapy involving belantamab mafodotin demonstrated a noteworthy extension in the time to disease progression or death compared to the standard of care.

Additionally, a positive trend in overall survival (OS) favouring the Blenrep combination was observed at the time of analysis, with ongoing follow-up for OS data.

The safety profile of the belantamab mafodotin regimen remained consistent with the known safety profile of the individual agents involved.

GSK said it was the second phase three head-to-head trial showcasing positive outcomes for belantamab mafodotin combination therapies in the second line and later treatment for multiple myeloma.

Earlier positive findings from the DREAMM-7 trial, which evaluated belantamab mafodotin in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BorDex) versus daratumumab plus BorDex, were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Plenary Series in February.

Detailed findings from DREAMM-8 weer set to be presented at an upcoming medical conference, and would be shared with regulatory authorities for further evaluation.

“The results seen in both DREAMM-7 and DREAMM-8 provide strong clinical evidence of the robust efficacy shown with belantamab mafodotin in use with standard of care combinations,” said Hesham Abdullah, GSK’s senior vice-president and global head of oncology research and development.

“We now look forward to discussing these data with regulators - if approved, we believe these combinations have the potential to redefine the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and advance the standard of care.

“This is exciting news for patients given the high unmet medical need for both efficacious and easily administered therapies with differing mechanisms of action.”

At 0815 GMT, shares in GSK were up 1.35% at 1,695.8p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.