Novartis (SWX:NOVN) has announced that the genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) failed to meet the primary endpoint in its Phase 3 BELINDA trial. That endpoint involved event-free survival for people with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma compared to standard of care. To qualify for the study, patients needed to have primary refractory disease or have relapsed within 12 months of receiving first-line treatment.
Two other companies, Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) and Gilead Sciences (NSDQ:GILD), recently announced successful data in similar studies involving Breyanzi and Yescarta, respectively.
Bristol Myers Squibb received FDA approval for Breyanzi as third-line therapy in February.
FDA granted accelerated approval to Yescarta for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma in March.
The standard of care in the treatment was salvage chemotherapy. Also known as rescue therapy, salvage chemotherapy …