Johnson & Johnson announces successful results from trial for myeloma treatment
Ella Day | April 16, 2025 | News story | Research and Development | Johnson & Johnson, Oncology, myeloma, pharma, trial
Global healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson, announced that analysis of its Darzalex (daratumumab) therapy showed significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) rates of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) than conventional bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) chemotherapy. The treatment could help NDMM patients approach normal expectancy without their disease progressing, with PFS projected to be 17 years.
The analysis modelled long-term PFS in transplant eligible (TE) and transplant ineligible (TIE) NDMM patients treated with Darzalex-subcutaneous (SC) therapy in combination with VRd. The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) ensured that data analysis used rigorous and standardised methodologies.
Data was drawn from Johnson’s PERSEUS and CEPHEUS trials which studied the safety and efficacy of Darzalex compared to VRd regimens. In PERSEUS, Darzalex-VRd plus Darzalex SC and lenalidomide (DR) maintenance led to a reduction in risk of progression or death by 58% versus VRd and lenalidomide. Furthermore, the CEPHEUS showed that Darzalex-VRd resulted in a 43% reduction versus VRd.
Pieter Sonneveld, head of the department of haematology at Erasmus University Medical Center, commented on the significance of the results, stating that: “This data reinforces the critical role of transplant with [Darzalex] maintenance therapy to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.”
The results were presented at the 6th European Myeloma Network (EMN) meeting in Athens, Greece earlier this month.
Edmond Chan, head of haematology at Johnson & Johnson, commented: “Patients receiving [Darzalex]-VRd could potentially remain progression free and offer them hope of living an average life expectancy.” He added that the data “cements [Darzalex] as a transformative, frontline therapy, regardless of transplant eligibility”.
Ella Day
16/4/25
Related Content
Johnson & Johnson submits robotic surgical system for De Novo classification
Johnson & Johnson has announced the submission of its Ottava Robotic Surgical System for De …
LGC Group opens $100M Organic Chemistry Synthesis Centre of Excellence
LGC Group, a life sciences company, has opened its new Organic Chemistry Synthesis Centre of …
Johnson & Johnson commits $2bn to new manufacturing facility in North Carolina, US
Johnson & Johnson has announced a $2bn investment in a new manufacturing facility in Holly …
