Longer-Term Data from CARTITUDE Program Continue to Show Deep and Durable Responses with Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel Across Lines of Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Rhea-AI Summary

Legend Biotech presented updated results from the CARTITUDE clinical program for cilta-cel at the ASCO 2022 meeting, showcasing a sustained 98% overall response rate in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients after 28 months. Median progression-free and overall survival times remain unreached, highlighting long-term efficacy. The CARTITUDE-2 study supports the use of cilta-cel in earlier treatment lines, with 95% of patients achieving a complete response. Adverse events were consistent with previous findings, primarily hematologic.

Positive

• Sustained overall response rate of 98% after 28 months in CARTITUDE-1 study.
• Two-year progression-free survival rate of 55% and overall survival rate of 70%.
• CARTITUDE-2 study shows promising results in earlier treatment lines with 95% response rate.

Negative

• Adverse events include neutropenia (96%), anemia (81%), and thrombocytopenia (79%).
• Response rates and survival metrics may not meet expectations in broader market.

• 28-month, median follow-up data from the CARTITUDE-1 study of cilta-cel in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma presented at the 2022 ASCO Annual meeting
• Overall response rate remains at 98 percent after more than two years, with median progression-free and overall survival not yet being reached
• Results from Cohorts A and B of the CARTITUDE-2 study reinforce promise of cilta-cel in earlier lines of multiple myeloma treatment

SOMERSET, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ: LEGN) (Legend Biotech), a global biotechnology company developing, manufacturing and commercializing novel therapies to treat life-threatening diseases, presented today new and updated results from the CARTITUDE clinical development program studying ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in the treatment of multiple myeloma at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Earlier data from the CARTITUDE-1 study supported recent regulatory approvals for CARVYKTI™ by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission, and ongoing results from the multi-cohort CARTITUDE-2 study are being used to inform future trials of CARVYKTI™ treatment in multiple patient populations and treatment settings.

Longer-Term CARTITUDE-1 Data Continue to Show Deep and Durable Responses

Data from the ongoing Phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 study continue to show deep and durable responses in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma at a median 28-month follow up (MFU), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 98 percent (95 percent Confident Interval [CI], 92.7-99.7).^1,2

Responses in 97 patients treated with CARVYKTI™ were sustained from the 22-month median follow-up data previously presented at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, with 83 percent of patients achieving a stringent complete response (sCR) at median 28 MFU.¹ Median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) were not reached at time of follow-up, suggesting long-term durability of responses and survival for patients.¹ Two-year PFS and OS rates were 55 percent (95 percent CI, 44.0–64.6) and 70 percent (95 percent CI, 60.1–78.6), respectively.¹ Sixty-one patients had samples evaluable for minimal residual disease (MRD) status, and of those, 92 percent achieved MRD negativity at the 10^-5 threshold.¹ Of those evaluable, MRD negativity was sustained for more than 6 months in 68 percent and more than 12 months in 55 percent of patients.¹ Two-year PFS rates in patients who achieved sustained MRD negativity for 6 months or longer and 12 months or longer were 73 percent (95 percent CI, 52.1 to 85.9) and 79 percent (95 percent CI, 51.5 to 91.8), respectively. In these same patients, two-year OS rates were 94 percent (95 percent CI, 76.1 to 98.3) and 91 percent (95 percent CI, 67.7 to 97.6), respectively.¹

The CARTITUDE-1 study included patients who received a median of six prior treatment regimens (range, 3-18).¹ All patients were triple-class [immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), proteasome inhibitor (PI) and anti-CD38 antibody] exposed, while 42 percent of patients were penta-drug refractory and 99 percent of patients were refractory to the last line of therapy.¹

“After more than two years of follow-up, cilta-cel continues to provide durable responses for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who often have exhausted multiple lines of therapy and face poor prognoses,” said Saad Z. Usmani, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., Chief of Myeloma Service, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and study investigator. “This population of patients has an unmet need, and it is exciting that we have a treatment option that can keep disease progression at bay.”

Median time to first response was one month (range, 0.9-10.7 months), with responses deepening over time.¹ Additionally, median time to best response was 2.6 months (range, 0.9-17.8 months) and median time to complete response (CR) or better was 2.9 months (range, 0.9-17.8 months).¹

At 28-month median follow up, the most common hematologic adverse events (AEs) observed were neutropenia (96 percent); anemia (81 percent); thrombocytopenia (79 percent); leukopenia (62 percent); and lymphopenia (54 percent). Since the primary 12-month publication,³ no new events of CRS (no changes in incidence, time to onset, or duration) occurred and one new case of Parkinsonism (also referred to as movement and neurocognitive treatment-emergent adverse events) occurred.¹

CARTITUDE-2 Data Reinforce Potential for Use in Earlier-Line of Treatment

Results from the multicohort Phase 2 CARTITUDE-2 study (NCT04133636) evaluating cilta-cel safety and efficacy in various clinical settings for patients with multiple myeloma were also presented at ASCO 2022, demonstrating the promise of CARVYKTI™ earlier in the course of multiple myeloma treatment.

Updated data from Cohort A examined the safety and efficacy of cilta-cel in 20 patients with multiple myeloma after one to three prior lines of therapy and who are lenalidomide-refractory (Abstract #8020).⁴ At a median follow-up of 17.1 months, the ORR was 95 percent, which included 90 percent of patients achieving CR or better and 95 percent achieving very good partial response (VGPR) or better. The median time to first response was one month and the median time to best response was 2.6 months. The 15-month PFS rate was 70 percent.⁴ Of the 16 patients who were MRD-evaluable, all achieved MRD negativity at 10^-5.⁴

Results from Cohort B of the study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of cilta-cel in patients relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received one prior line of therapy including a PI and IMiD and had disease progression within 12 months of treatment with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or within 12 months of the start of antimyeloma therapy for patients who have not had ASCT, were also presented (Abstract #8029).⁵ At a median of 13 months follow-up, 19 patients treated in this cohort achieved an ORR of 100 percent, with 90 percent of patients achieving a CR or better, and 95 percent of patients achieving a VGPR or better.⁵ Median time to first response was one month (range, 0.9-9.7) and median time to best response was 5.1 months.⁵ The 12-month PFS rate was 90 percent. Of the 15 patients who were MRD-evaluable, 14 achieved MRD negativity at 10^-5.⁵

In both of these cohorts from CARTITUDE-2, the overall safety profile, including incidence of CRS and most common hematologic AEs, was consistent with that of CARTITUDE-1.⁵

“On the heels of the approval of CARVYKTI™ in heavily pre-treated patients, we’re pleased to see the longer-term depth and durability of responses in the CARTITUDE-1 study,” said Ying Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Legend Biotech. “In addition, the follow up results from the ongoing CARTITUDE-2 Cohort A and B studies support the potential of cilta-cel as a therapeutic option for earlier lines of treatment. We are inspired by the promise of cilta-cel in new patient populations and look forward to helping multiple myeloma patients who continue to have unmet needs across the treatment paradigm.”

Disclosure: Dr. Usmani has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Legend Biotech and Janssen, Biotech, Inc.

About CARVYKTI™ (Ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel)

CARVYKTI™ is a BCMA-directed, genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy, which involves reprogramming a patient’s own T-cells with a transgene encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that identifies and eliminates cells that express BCMA. BCMA is primarily expressed on the surface of malignant multiple myeloma B-lineage cells, as well as late-stage B-cells and plasma cells. The CARVYKTI™ CAR protein features two BCMA-targeting single domain antibodies designed to confer high avidity against human BCMA. Upon binding to BCMA-expressing cells, the CAR promotes T-cell activation, expansion, and elimination of target cells.⁶

In December 2017, Legend Biotech Corporation entered into an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) to develop and commercialize cilta-cel.

In February 2022, CARVYKTI™ was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.⁷ In May 2022, the European Commission (EC) granted conditional marketing authorization of CARVYKTI™ for the treatment of adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.⁸ Cilta-cel was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the U.S. in December 2019 and in China in August 2020. In addition, cilta-cel received a PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) designation from the European Commission in April 2019. Cilta-cel also received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA in February 2019, from the European Commission in February 2020, and from the Pharmaceuticals and Medicinal Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan in June 2020. In May 2022, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products recommended by consensus that the orphan designation for cilta-cel be maintained on the basis of clinical data demonstrating improved and sustained complete response rates following treatment.⁹

About CARTITUDE-1

CARTITUDE-1 (NCT03548207)¹⁰ is an ongoing Phase 1b/2, open-label, single arm, multi-center trial evaluating cilta-cel for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, who previously received at least three prior lines of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor (PI), an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Of the 97 patients enrolled in the trial, 99 percent were refractory to the last line of treatment and 88 percent were triple-class refractory, meaning their cancer did not respond, or no longer responds, to an IMiD, a PI and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

About CARTITUDE-2

CARTITUDE-2 (NCT04133636)¹¹ is an ongoing Phase 2 multicohort study evaluating the safety and efficacy of cilta-cel in various clinical settings. Cohort A included patients who had progressive multiple myeloma after 1–3 prior lines of therapy, including PI and IMiD, were lenalidomide refractory, and had no prior exposure to BCMA-targeting agents. Cohort B included patients with early relapse after initial therapy that included a PI and IMiD. The primary objective was to evaluate the percentage of patients with negative minimal residual disease (MRD).

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow and is characterized by an excessive proliferation of plasma cells.¹² In 2022, it is estimated that more than 34,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and more than 12,000 people will die from the disease in the U.S.¹³ While some patients with multiple myeloma have no symptoms at all, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone problems, low blood counts, calcium elevation, kidney problems or infections.¹⁴ Although treatment may result in remission, unfortunately, patients will most likely relapse.¹⁵ Patients who relapse after treatment with standard therapies, including protease inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, have poor prognoses and few treatment options available.^16,17

CARVYKTI™ Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

CARVYKTI™ (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, after four or more prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME, NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES, HLH/MAS, and PROLONGED and RECURRENT CYTOPENIA

• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with CARVYKTI™. Do not administer CARVYKTI™ to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab or tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
• Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS), which may be fatal or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with CARVYKTI™, including before CRS onset, concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor for neurologic events after treatment with CARVYKTI™. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.
• Parkinsonism and Guillain-Barré syndrome and their associated complications resulting in fatal or life-threatening reactions have occurred following treatment with CARVYKTI™.
• Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (HLH/MAS), including fatal and life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with CARVYKTI™. HLH/MAS can occur with CRS or neurologic toxicities.
• Prolonged and/or recurrent cytopenias with bleeding and infection and requirement for stem cell transplantation for hematopoietic recovery occurred following treatment with CARVYKTI™.
• CARVYKTI™ is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the CARVYKTI™ REMS Program.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with CARVYKTI™ in 95% (92/97) of patients receiving ciltacabtagene autoleucel. Grade 3 or higher CRS (2019 ASTCT grade)1 occurred in 5% (5/97) of patients, with Grade 5 CRS reported in 1 patient. The median time to onset of CRS was 7 days (range: 1-12 days). The most common manifestations of CRS included pyrexia (100%), hypotension (43%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (22%), chills (15%), increased alanine aminotransferase (14%) and sinus tachycardia (11%). Grade 3 or higher events associated with CRS included increased AST and ALT, hyperbilirubinemia, hypotension, pyrexia, hypoxia, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulation, HLH/MAS, angina pectoris, supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia, malaise, myalgias, increased C-reactive protein, ferritin, blood alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase.

Identify CRS based on clinical presentation. Evaluate for and treat other causes of fever, hypoxia, and hypotension. CRS has been reported to be associated with findings of HLH/MAS, and the physiology of the syndromes may overlap. HLH/MAS is a potentially life-threatening condition. In patients with progressive symptoms of CRS or refractory CRS despite treatment, evaluate for evidence of HLH/MAS.

Sixty-nine of 97 (71%) patients received tocilizumab and/or a corticosteroid for CRS after infusion of ciltacabtagene autoleucel. Forty-four (45%) patients received only tocilizumab, of whom 33 (34%) received a single dose and 11 (11%) received more than one dose; 24 patients (25%) received tocilizumab and a corticosteroid, and one patient (1%) received only corticosteroids. Ensure that a minimum of two doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of CARVYKTI™.

Monitor patients at least daily for 10 days following CARVYKTI™ infusion at a REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs and symptoms of CRS. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS for at least 4 weeks after infusion. At the first sign of CRS, immediately institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab, or tocilizumab and corticosteroids. Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time. Neurologic toxicities, which may be severe, life-threatening or fatal, occurred following treatment with CARVYKTI™.

Neurologic toxicities, which may be severe, life-threatening or fatal, occurred following treatment with CARVYKTI™. Neurologic toxicities included ICANS, neurologic toxicity with signs and symptoms of parkinsonism, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, peripheral neuropathies, and cranial nerve palsies. Counsel patients on the signs and symptoms of these neurologic toxicities, and on the delayed nature of onset of some of these toxicities. Instruct patients to seek immediate medical attention for further assessment and management if signs or symptoms of any of these neurologic toxicities occur at any time.

Overall, one or more subtypes of neurologic toxicity described below occurred following ciltacabtagene autoleucel in 26% (25/97) of patients, of which 11% (11/97) of patients experienced Grade 3 or higher events. These subtypes of neurologic toxicities were also observed in two ongoing studies.

Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS): Patients receiving CARVYKTI™ may experience fatal of life-threatening ICANS following treatment with CARVYKTI™, including before CRS onset, concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS.

ICANS occurred in 23% (22/97) of patients receiving ciltacabtagene autoleucel including Grade 3 or 4 events in 3% (3/97) and Grade 5 (fatal) events in 2% (2/97). The median time to onset of ICANS was 8 days (range 1-28 days). All 22 patients with ICANS had CRS. The most frequent (≥5%) manifestation of ICANS included encephalopathy (23%), aphasia (8%) and headache (6%). Monitor patients at least daily for 10 days following CARVYKTI™ infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs and symptoms of ICANS. Rule out other causes of ICANS symptoms.

Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of ICANS for at least 4 weeks after infusion and treat promptly. Neurologic toxicity should be managed with supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.

Parkinsonism: Of the 25 patients in the CARTITUDE-1 study experiencing any neurotoxicity, five male patients had neurologic toxicity with several signs and symptoms of parkinsonism, distinct from immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Neurologic toxicity with parkinsonism has been reported in other ongoing trials of ciltacabtagene autoleucel. Patients had parkinsonian and nonparkinsonian symptoms that included tremor, bradykinesia, involuntary movements, stereotypy, loss of spontaneous movements, masked facies, apathy, flat affect, fatigue, rigidity, psychomotor retardation, micrographia, dysgraphia, apraxia, lethargy, confusion, somnolence, loss of consciousness, delayed reflexes, hyperreflexia, memory loss, difficulty swallowing, bowel incontinence, falls, stooped posture, shuffling gait, muscle weakness and wasting, motor dysfunction, motor and sensory loss, akinetic mutism, and frontal lobe release signs. The median onset of parkinsonism in the 5 patients in CARTITUDE-1 was 43 days (range 15-108) from infusion of ciltacabtagene autoleucel.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of parkinsonism that may be delayed in onset and managed with supportive care measures. There is limited efficacy information with medications used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, for the improvement or resolution of parkinsonism symptoms following CARVYKTI™ treatment.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A fatal outcome following Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has occurred in another ongoing study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel despite treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins. Symptoms reported include those consistent with MillerFisher variant of GBS, encephalopathy, motor weakness, speech disturbances and polyradiculoneuritis.

Monitor for GBS. Evaluate patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy for GBS. Consider treatment of GBS with supportive care measures and in conjunction with immunoglobulins and plasma exchange, depending on severity of GBS.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Six patients in CARTITUDE-1 developed peripheral neuropathy. These neuropathies presented as sensory, motor or sensorimotor neuropathies. Median time of onset of symptoms was 62 days (range 4-136 days), median duration of peripheral neuropathies was 256 days (range 2-465 days) including those with ongoing neuropathy. Patients who experienced peripheral neuropathy also experienced cranial nerve palsies or GBS in other ongoing trials of ciltacabtagene autoleucel.

Cranial Nerve Palsies: Three patients (3.1%) experienced cranial nerve palsies in CARTITUDE-1. All three patients had 7th cranial nerve palsy; one patient had 5th cranial nerve palsy as well. Median time to onset was 26 days (range 21-101 days) following infusion of ciltacabtagene autoleucel. Occurrence of 3rd and 6th cranial nerve palsy, bilateral 7th cranial nerve palsy, worsening of cranial nerve palsy after improvement, and occurrence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with cranial nerve palsy have also been reported in ongoing trials of ciltacabtagene autoleucel. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of cranial nerve palsies. Consider management with systemic corticosteroids, depending on the severity and progression of signs and symptoms.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS: Fatal HLH occurred in one patient (1%), 99 days after ciltacabtagene autoleucel. The HLH event was preceded by prolonged CRS lasting 97 days. The manifestations of HLH/MAS include hypotension, hypoxia with diffuse alveolar damage, coagulopathy, cytopenia, and multi-organ dysfunction, including renal dysfunction. HLH is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate if not recognized and treated early. Treatment of HLH/MAS should be administered per institutional standards.

CARVYKTI™ REMS: Because of the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, CARVYKTI™ is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the CARVYKTI™ REMS.

Further information is available at www.CARVYKTIrems.com or 1-844-672-0067.

Prolonged and Recurrent Cytopenias: Patients may exhibit prolonged and recurrent cytopenias following lymphodepleting chemotherapy and CARVYKTI™ infusion. One patient underwent autologous stem cell therapy for hematopoietic reconstitution due to prolonged thrombocytopenia.

In CARTITUDE-1, 30% (29/97) of patients experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 41% (40/97) of patients experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia that had not resolved by Day 30 following ciltacabtagene autoleucel infusion.

Recurrent Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and anemia were seen in 63% (61/97), 18% (17/97), 60% (58/97), and 37% (36/97) after recovery from initial Grade 3 or 4 cytopenia following infusion. After Day 60 following ciltacabtagene autoleucel infusion, 31%, 12% and 6% of patients had a recurrence of Grade 3 or higher lymphopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively, after initial recovery of their Grade 3 or 4 cytopenia. Eighty-seven percent (84/97) of patients had one, two, or three or more recurrences of Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias after initial recovery of Grade 3 or 4 cytopenia. Six and 11 patients had Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively, at the time of death.

Monitor blood counts prior to and after CARVYKTI™ infusion. Manage cytopenias with growth factors and blood product transfusion support according to local institutional guidelines.

Infections: CARVYKTI™ should not be administered to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Severe, life-threatening or fatal infections occurred in patients after CARVYKTI™ infusion.

Infections (all grades) occurred in 57 (59%) patients. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 23% (22/97) of patients; Grade 3 or 4 infections with an unspecified pathogen occurred in 17%, viral infections in 7%, bacterial infections in 1%, and fungal infections in 1% of patients. Overall, four patients had Grade 5 infections: lung abscess (n=1), sepsis (n=2) and pneumonia (n=1).

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after CARVYKTI™ infusion and treat patients appropriately. Administer prophylactic, pre-emptive and/or therapeutic antimicrobials according to the standard institutional guidelines. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 10% of patients after ciltacabtagene autoleucel infusion and may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids and other supportive care, as medically indicated.

Viral Reactivation: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure and death, can occur in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Perform screening for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or any other infectious agents if clinically indicated in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing. Consider antiviral therapy to prevent viral reactivation per local institutional guidelines/clinical practice.

Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse event in 12% (12/97) of patients; laboratory IgG levels fell below 500 mg/dL after infusion in 92% (89/97) of patients. Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with CARVYKTI™ and administer IVIG for IgG <400 mg/dL. Manage per local institutional guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis.

Use of Live Vaccines: The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or following CARVYKTI™ treatment has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during CARVYKTI™ treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with CARVYKTI™.

Hypersensitivity Reactions have occurred in 5% (5/97) of patients following ciltacabtagene autoleucel infusion. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in CARVYKTI™. Patients should be carefully monitored for 2 hours after infusion for signs and symptoms of severe reaction. Treat promptly and manage appropriately according to the severity of the hypersensitivity reaction.

Secondary Malignancies: Patients may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor life-long for secondary malignancies. In the event that a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Janssen Biotech, Inc., at 1-800-526-7736 for reporting and to obtain instructions on collection of patient samples for testing of secondary malignancy of T cell origin.

Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: Due to the potential for neurologic events, including altered mental status, seizures, neurocognitive decline, or neuropathy, patients are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following CARVYKTI™ infusion. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery during this initial period, and in the event of new onset of any neurologic toxicities.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common non-laboratory adverse reactions (incidence greater than 20%) are pyrexia, cytokine release syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia, hypotension, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, infections of unspecified pathogen, cough, chills, diarrhea, nausea, encephalopathy, decreased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, tachycardia, dizziness, dyspnea, edema, viral infections, coagulopathy, constipation, and vomiting. The most common laboratory adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 50%) include thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia, aminotransferase elevation, and hypoalbuminemia. Please read full

Please read full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning for CARVYKTI™.

About Legend Biotech

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

Learn more at www.legendbiotech.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Legend Biotech’s strategies and objectives; statements relating to CARVYKTI™, including Legend Biotech’s expectations for CARVYKTI™, such as Legend Biotech’s manufacturing and commercialization expectations for CARVYKTI™ and the potential effect of treatment with CARVYKTI™; statements about submissions for cilta-cel to, and the progress of such submissions with, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Chinese Center for Drug Evaluation of National Medical Products Administration (CDE) and other regulatory authorities; the anticipated timing of, and ability to progress, clinical trials, including patient enrollment and the resumption of the Phase 1 clinical trial of LB1901; the ability to maintain and progress the conditional marketing authorization for cilta-cel granted by the EMA; the submission of Investigational New Drug (IND) applications to, and maintenance of such applications with, regulatory authorities; the ability to generate, analyze and present data from clinical trials; and the potential benefits of Legend Biotech’s product candidates. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors. Legend Biotech’s expectations could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties involved in the development of new pharmaceutical products; unexpected clinical trial results, including as a result of additional analysis of existing clinical data or unexpected new clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions or delays, including requests for additional safety and/or efficacy data or analysis of data, or government regulation generally; unexpected delays as a result of actions undertaken, or failures to act, by our third party partners; uncertainties arising from challenges to Legend Biotech’s patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, including the uncertainties involved in the U.S. litigation process; competition in general; government, industry, and general public pricing and other political pressures; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental and regulatory measures implemented in response to the evolving situation; as well as the other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Legend Biotech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2022. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Legend Biotech specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References
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¹ Usmani, S. Phase 1b/2 study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel, a BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-1): Two years post-LPI. Abstract #8028 [Poster]. Presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
² Usmani S, Martin T, et al. Phase 1b/2 study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel, a BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-1): Two years post-LPI. Abstract #8028 [Poster]. Presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
³ Berdeja J, Madduri D, Usmani S, et al. Ciltacabtagene autoleucel, a B-cell maturation antigen-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (CARTITUDE-1): a phase 1b/2 open-label study. The Lancet. 2021;398(10297):P314-324.
⁴ Einsele, H. Biological correlative analyses and updated clinical data of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy, in lenalidomide (len)-refractory patients (pts) with progressive multiple myeloma (MM) after 1–3 prior lines of therapy (LOT): CARTITUDE-2, cohort A. Abstract #8020 [Poster]. Presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology 2022 Annual Meeting.
⁵ van de Donk, N et al. Biological correlative analyses and updated clinical data of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy, in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and early relapse after initial therapy: CARTITUDE-2, cohort B. Abstract #8029 [Poster]. Presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
⁶ CARVYKTI™ Prescribing Information. Horsham, PA: Janssen Biotech, Inc.
⁷ CARVYKTI™ (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), BCMA-Directed CAR-T Therapy, Receives U.S. FDA Approval for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://legendbiotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CARVYKTI%E2%84%A2-ciltacabtagene-autoleucel-BCMA-Directed-CAR-T-Therapy-Receives-U.S.-FDA-Approval-2.pdf. Last accessed: May 2022.
⁸ CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) Granted Conditional Approval by the European Commission for the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://investors.legendbiotech.com/node/7431/pdf. Last accessed: May 2022.
⁹ European Commission. Community Register of Orphan Medicinal Products. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/o2252.htm. Last accessed: May 2022.
¹⁰ CARTITUDE-1 (NCT03548207). Available: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00933-8/fulltext. Accessed May 2022.
¹¹ CARTITUDE-2 (NCT04133636). Available: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04133636. Accessed May 2022.
¹² American Society of Clinical Oncology. Multiple myeloma: introduction. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/introduction. Accessed May 2022.
¹³ American Cancer Society. "Key Statistics About Multiple Myeloma." Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed May 2022.
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Investor Contacts:

Joanne Choi, Senior Manager of Investor Relations, Legend Biotech

joanne.choi@legendbiotech.com



Crystal Chen, Manager of Investor Relations, Legend Biotech

crystal.chen@legendbiotech.com



Press Contact:

Tina Carter, Corporate Communications Lead, Legend Biotech

tina.carter@legendbiotech.com

(908) 331-5025

Source: Legend Biotech

FAQ

What were the main findings from the CARTITUDE-1 study for cilta-cel presented at ASCO 2022?

The CARTITUDE-1 study showed a sustained overall response rate of 98% after 28 months, with median progression-free and overall survival not yet reached.

What does the CARTITUDE-2 study suggest about cilta-cel?

CARTITUDE-2 data indicate a promising efficacy of cilta-cel in earlier treatment lines, with a 95% overall response rate among patients.

What are the common adverse events reported in the studies for cilta-cel?

The most common adverse events included neutropenia (96%), anemia (81%), and thrombocytopenia (79%).

How does cilta-cel perform in patients with multiple myeloma after multiple treatments?

Cilta-cel maintained a significant response rate in heavily pretreated patients, with a 55% two-year progression-free survival rate.

What are the implications of the CARTITUDE studies for Legend Biotech's stock (LEGN)?

The positive outcomes from CARTITUDE studies may bolster investor confidence, although adverse events and survival metrics could impact market expectations.