The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) today joined the multiple myeloma community in celebrating the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to grant accelerated approval of Pomalyst® (Celgene Corporation, pomalidomide) for the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who no longer respond to currently available treatments. A critical advance for the treatment of this incurable blood cancer, together with KyprolisTM (carfilzomib), Pomalyst marks the second treatment to receive accelerated approval in the last seven months, which is unparalleled in any other cancer.
"Today marks another historic day - the availability of an unprecedented second breakthrough therapy for this fatal disease within just seven months for patients who have run out of treatment options," stated Kathy Giusti, Founder and CEO of the MMRF and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), and a multiple myeloma patient. "We are grateful for the FDA's decision and for the unwavering commitment of our partner Celgene to the multiple myeloma patient community, and are proud to have accelerated the development of this promising new treatment."
In 2008, the MMRC entered into collaboration with Celgene and bolstered the clinical development of Pomalyst. Since that time, the MMRC: