On December 9, 2022 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson reported the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for talquetamab for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, DEC 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234624998]). Talquetamab is an investigational, off-the-shelf (ready to use), bispecific T-cell engager antibody targeting both GPRC5D, a novel drug target that is on some normal cells but overexpressed on myeloma cells, and separately targets CD3 on T cells.1

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Despite the therapies that have been developed for the treatment of multiple myeloma, there remains persistent unmet needs for patients who relapse or become refractory," said Peter Lebowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "Through our discovery and development of talquetamab, a novel GPRC5DxCD3 bispecific antibody, we remain relentlessly committed to the investigation of innovative therapies for patients and oncologists. We look forward to working closely with the FDA in their review of the talquetamab submission."

This BLA is supported by data from the Phase 1/2, first-in-human MonumenTAL-1 study of talquetamab (Phase 1: NCT03399799; Phase 2: NCT04634552) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received more than three prior lines of therapy.1 The first presentation of Phase 2 results from the MonumenTAL-1 study will be highlighted at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting on December 10, 2022 in an oral scientific session (Abstract #157)2 and featured as part of the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Press Briefing.

About Talquetamab
Talquetamab is a first-in-class, off-the-shelf (ready to use), investigational bispecific T-cell engager antibody targeting both GPRC5D, a novel multiple myeloma target, and CD3, a primary component of the T-cell receptor.1 CD3 is involved in activating T cells, and GPRC5D is highly expressed on multiple myeloma cells.3,4

Talquetamab, which is given by subcutaneous injection, is currently being evaluated in the Phase 1/2 MonumenTAL-1 clinical study for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (NCT03399799), and in combination studies RedirecTT-1 (NCT04586426), TRIMM-2 (NCT04108195), TRIMM-3 (NCT05338775), MonumenTAL-2 (NCT05050097) and MonumenTAL-3 (NCT05455320).

Talquetamab received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. FDA in June 2022 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, who have previously received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 antibody. In May 2021 and August 2021, talquetamab received an Orphan Drug designation for the treatment of multiple myeloma by the U.S. FDA and the European Commission, respectively. In January 2021, talquetamab received a PRIME designation by the European Commission.

About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.5 In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells change, spread rapidly and replace normal cells in the bone marrow with tumors.6 In 2022, it is estimated that more than 34,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and more than 12,000 people will die from the disease in the U.S.7 While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels, kidney problems or infections.