Yescarta sales continued to grow versus the previous quarter (Q4 2019), seemingly with little initial impact from COVID-19, in contrast to Kymriah which reported a slight dip in Q1 2020 sales (see previous FENIX insight). Below, FENIX provides thoughts on published revenues and possible factors influencing HCPs’ CAR-T prescribing preferences.
On Thursday, April 30, Gilead held their Q1 2020 earnings call (press release / financial report / slides). Of note, Yescarta sales continued to grow versus the previous quarter (Q4 2019), seemingly with little initial impact from COVID-19, in contrast to Kymriah which saw a slight dip in Q1 2020 sales. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Gilead’s cell therapy program, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, April 28, Novartis held their Q1 2020 earnings call (press release / financial report / slides). Of note, Kymriah sales fell slightly versus the previous quarter (Q4 2019), possibly due to the impact of COVID-19. However, Novartis underlined its confidence in the oncology field’s “resilience” and the company’s full-year sales outlook. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on Novartis’s cell therapy program, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
A new Novartis-sponsored Ph1 trial has been detected for the BCMA CAR-T, PHE885, in ≥3L relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Of note, the trial uses a new CAR-T manufacturing method. Below, FENIX provides insights on this new trial and how a potentially improved manufacturing process could enhance Novartis’s position compared to the BCMA CAR-T leaders, BMS and Janssen.
On Thursday, March 5, Cellectis held their Q4 ‘19 earnings call, providing updates on their CAR-T clinical development program as well as their expanding manufacturing capabilities. In addition, the company provided further color around their recently-updated deal with Servier. Below, FENIX provides highlights and insights from the call, including their significance in the context of an increasingly-competitive CAR-T landscape.
On Thursday April 2, Kite (a Gilead company) announced that it had entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Teneobio, granting Kite exclusive rights to specific antibodies targeting BCMA in multiple myeloma. Kite’s decision to re-enter the BCMA space follows Gilead’s discontinuation of its own BCMA CAR-T, KITE-585, in late 2018. Below, FENIX provides key takeaways and analysis from this new agreement, particularly in the context of Teneobio collaborations with other key players in the BCMA space: AbbVie and Poseida Therapeutics (who also has the backing of Novartis).