May 26 ASCO Quick Takes: BMS’s Reblozyl headed for SOC in first-line MDS

Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) is set to position Reblozyl luspatercept-aamt as the new standard of care for first-line treatment of anemia in low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients after data from the Phase III COMMANDS study showed the Rebloyzl nearly doubled the number of MDS patients who achieved red blood cell transfusion independence vs. epoetin alfa (58.5% vs. 31.2%), meeting the study’s primary endpoint. Reblozyl, which is marketed for anemia in MDS patients who do not benefit from an erythropoiesis stimulating agent, had $717 million in 2022 sales after being initially approved in 2019. Data will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting next month.

Azenosertib, a small molecule WEE1 inhibitor from Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ZNTL), demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 50% and median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 7.4 months in combination with paclitaxel in a Phase Ib trial to treat platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, according to an ASCO abstract. Cyclin E1+ status was associated with a higher ORR (40.0% vs. 8.3%) and a longer mPFS (9.86 vs. 3.25 months, HR=0.37; p=0.0078). Zentalis, which plans to start a Phase III study in 1Q24, rose $2.89 (11%) to $30.05 on Friday...