22 November 2022 GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced it has initiated the process for withdrawal of the US marketing authorisation for Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin-blmf) following the request of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This request was based on the previously announced outcome of the DREAMM-3phase III confirmatory trial, which did not meet the requirements of the FDA Accelerated Approval regulations. Blenrep is a monotherapy treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior therapies including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent.
As part of the Company’s efforts to ensure physicians and patients are supported during this important time, patients already enrolled in the Blenrep Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programme will have the option to enrol in a compassionate use programme to continue to access treatment. Further information on how to enrol patients into the compassionate use program will be provided directly to REMS enrolled prescribers. Patients currently being treated with Blenrep should consult their healthcare provider.
GSK continues to believe, based on the totality of data available from the DREAMM (DRiving Excellence in Approaches to Multiple Myeloma) development programme, that the benefit-risk profile of belantamab mafodotin remains favourable in this hard-to-treat RRMM patient population. Patients responding to belantamab mafodotin experienced durable clinical benefit, and safety remains consistent with the known safety profile.
Sabine Luik, Chief Medical Officer, said, “We respect the Agency’s approach to the accelerated approval regulations and associated process. Multiple myeloma is a challenging disease, with poor outcomes for patients whose disease has become resistant to standard-of-care treatments. We will continue the DREAMM clinical trial programme and work with the US FDA on a path forward for this important treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma.”
Additional trials within the DREAMM clinical trial programme are designed to determine the benefit of belantamab mafodotin in combination treatment with novel therapies and standard-of-care treatments in earlier lines of therapy and dosing optimisation to maintain efficacy while reducing corneal events. Data from the DREAMM-7 and DREAMM-8 phase III trials are event-driven, and results are anticipated in the first half of 2023. Results of these trials will be shared with health authorities and inform future regulatory pathways.
