2seventy bio to Present Data from KarMMa-2 Study of Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) at the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition

Rhea-AI Summary

2seventy bio (NASDAQ: TSVT) has announced promising data from the KarMMa-2 study regarding Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) for multiple myeloma patients with suboptimal transplant responses. Cohorts 2a and 2c demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 83.8% and 87.1%, with 12-month progression-free survival rates of 47.9% and 90.1%, respectively. The findings support further evaluation in the upcoming KarMMa-9 study. These results underline the therapeutic potential of Abecma in newly diagnosed patients, addressing a significant unmet medical need.

Data from KarMMa-2 Cohorts 2a and 2c suggest potential for early treatment with Abecma in patients with second-line and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Data suggest promising outcomes can be achieved treating patients with suboptimal response after transplant

Results support further evaluation of Abecma in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in KarMMa-9 study

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 2seventy bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSVT) announced today that data from two cohorts of the KarMMa-2 study of Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) in patients who have suboptimal response to transplant or early relapse will be presented at the 64^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, taking place from December 10-13, 2022, in New Orleans.

“The growing body of data supporting Abecma has given us critical insight into which patients may benefit most from CAR T,” said Steve Bernstein, M.D., chief medical officer, 2seventy bio. “While autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the standard of care, there is a high unmet medical need for patients with newly diagnosed and second-line, clinically high-risk multiple myeloma. We are seeing strong outcomes in patients who have suboptimal response to transplant (cohort 2c) and patients with an early relapse from transplant (cohort 2a) underscoring the importance of optimizing treatment for these patients. We plan to further evaluate this hypothesis in our registrational KarMMa-9 study in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who have a suboptimal response to transplant – a meaningful proportion of multiple myeloma patients.”

New data from KarMMa-2, cohort 2a, a study performed in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), evaluating the efficacy and safety of Abecma in clinical high-risk multiple myeloma patients with early relapse after frontline ASCT, has been accepted as an oral presentation. Results suggest the clinical benefit of Abecma in high-risk patients who relapse early after transplant.

Data from KarMMa-2, cohort 2a, showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 83.8% (n=31) and a complete response rate (CRR) of 45.9%. The 12-month and 24-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 47.9% and 26.2%, respectively.

A poster presentation of KarMMa-2, cohort 2c, also in partnership with BMS, evaluating efficacy and safety of Abecma in patients with clinical high-risk multiple myeloma due to inadequate response (<VGPR [very good partial response]) to frontline ASCT, was also accepted.

Data from KarMMa-2, cohort 2c, showed an ORR of 87.1% (n=31) and a CRR of 74.2%. The 12-month and 24-month PFS rates were 90.1% and 83.1%, respectively. Data showed a 12-month and 24-month event-free overall survival (OS) rate of 100% among all treated patients. Despite low tumor burden, robust expansion was seen across patients treated.

Data suggest that Abecma can provide significant clinical benefit to patients with suboptimal response to transplant and support further evaluation of Abecma in newly diagnosed patients in our KarMMa-9 study described below.

Lower incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (NT) were seen in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients versus those treated with Abecma in later lines. Safety data in both cohorts reinforce the known Abecma tolerability and favorable safety profile.

Abecma Development in Newly Diagnosed Patients

2seventy bio recently announced plans to initiate the KarMMa-9 study, in partnership with BMS, to evaluate Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who have suboptimal response to transplant, which represents a patient population with an unfavorable outcome. Of the approximately 70% newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are eligible and chose to receive transplant, up to 50% do not achieve complete response post-transplant, underscoring the high unmet need in this population.

The company, in partnership with BMS, plans to provide additional information about the design and timing of the KarMMa-9 study at the earliest upcoming opportunity.

ASH Presentation Details
Oral Presentation [#361]: KarMMa-2 Cohort 2a: Efficacy and Safety of Idecabtagene Vicleucel in Clinical High-Risk Multiple Myeloma Patients with Early Relapse after Frontline Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Presenting Author: Saad Z. Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP, Hematologic Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, N.Y.
Date/Time: Saturday, December 10, 2022, 4:00 p.m. ET

Poster Presentation [#3314]: KarMMa-2 Cohort 2c: Efficacy and Safety of Idecabtagene Vicleucel in Patients with Clinical High-Risk Multiple Myeloma Due to Inadequate Response to Frontline Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Presenting Author: Madhav V. Dhodapkar, MBBS, Director, Center for Cancer Immunology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.
Date/Time: Sunday, December 11, 2022, 6:00 p.m. ET

About Abecma

Abecma is the first-in-class B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy approved in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Abecma recognizes and binds to BCMA on the surface of multiple myeloma cells leading to CAR T cell proliferation, cytokine secretion, and subsequent cytolytic killing of BCMA-expressing cells.

Abecma was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2021 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior lines of therapy, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Please see the Important Safety Information section below, including Boxed WARNINGS for Abecma regarding cytokine release syndrome, neurologic toxicities, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome and Prolonged Cytopenia. Abecma is being jointly developed and commercialized in the U.S. as part of a Co-Development, Co-Promotion, and Profit Share Agreement between Bristol Myers Squibb and 2seventy bio.

The companies’ broad clinical development program for Abecma includes clinical studies (KarMMa-2, KarMMa-3, KarMMa-7, KarMMa-9) in earlier lines of treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. For more information visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME, NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES, HLH/MAS, AND PROLONGED CYTOPENIA

• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. Do not administer ABECMA to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab or tocilizumab and corticosteroids.
• Neurologic Toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA, including concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor for neurologic events after treatment with ABECMA. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.
• Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (HLH/MAS) including fatal and life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients following treatment with ABECMA. HLH/MAS can occur with CRS or neurologic toxicities.
• Prolonged Cytopenia with bleeding and infection, including fatal outcomes following stem cell transplantation for hematopoietic recovery, occurred following treatment with ABECMA.
• ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS.

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): CRS, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with ABECMA. CRS occurred in 85% (108/127) of patients receiving ABECMA. Grade 3 or higher CRS (Lee grading system) occurred in 9% (12/127) of patients, with Grade 5 CRS reported in one (0.8%) patient. The median time to onset of CRS, any grade, was 1 day (range: 1 - 23 days) and the median duration of CRS was 7 days (range: 1 - 63 days) in all patients including the patient who died. The most common manifestations of CRS included pyrexia (98%), hypotension (41%), tachycardia (35%), chills (31%), hypoxia (20%), fatigue (12%), and headache (10%). Grade 3 or higher events that may be associated with CRS include hypotension, hypoxia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypofibrinogenemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), atrial fibrillation, hepatocellular injury, metabolic acidosis, pulmonary edema, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and HLH/MAS.

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.

Fifty four percent (68/127) of patients received tocilizumab; 35% (45/127) received a single dose while 18% (23/127) received more than 1 dose of tocilizumab. Overall, across the dose levels, 15% (19/127) of patients received at least 1 dose of corticosteroids for treatment of CRS. All patients that received corticosteroids for CRS received tocilizumab.

Overall rate of CRS was 79% and rate of Grade 2 CRS was 23% in patients treated in the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort. For patients treated in the 450 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort, the overall rate of CRS was 96% and rate of Grade 2 CRS was 40%. Rate of Grade 3 or higher CRS was similar across the dose range. The median duration of CRS for the 450 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort was 7 days (range: 1-63 days) and for the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort was 6 days (range: 2-28 days). In the 450 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort, 68% (36/53) of patients received tocilizumab and 23% (12/53) received at least 1 dose of corticosteroids for treatment of CRS. In the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort, 44% (31/70) of patients received tocilizumab and 10% (7/70) received corticosteroids. All patients that received corticosteroids for CRS also received tocilizumab. Ensure that a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of ABECMA.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the 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, institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids as indicated.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS occur at any time.

Neurologic Toxicities: Neurologic toxicities, which may be severe or life-threatening, occurred following treatment with ABECMA, including concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution, or in the absence of CRS. CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity occurred in 28% (36/127) of patients receiving ABECMA, including Grade 3 in 4% (5/127) of patients. One patient had ongoing Grade 2 neurotoxicity at the time of death. Two patients had ongoing Grade 1 tremor at the time of data cutoff. The median time to onset of neurotoxicity was 2 days (range: 1 - 42 days). CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity resolved in 92% (33/36) of patients with a median duration of neurotoxicity was 5 days (range: 1 - 61 days). The median duration of neurotoxicity was 6 days (range: 1 - 578) in all patients including those with ongoing neurotoxicity at the time of death or data cut off. Thirty-four patients with neurotoxicity had CRS. Neurotoxicity had onset in 3 patients before, 29 patients during, and 2 patients after CRS. The rate of Grade 3 neurotoxicity was 8% in the 450 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort and 1.4% in the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort. The most frequently reported (greater than or equal to 5%) manifestations of CAR T cell-associated neurotoxicity include encephalopathy (20%), tremor (9%), aphasia (7%), and delirium (6%). Grade 4 neurotoxicity and cerebral edema in 1 patient has been reported with ABECMA in another study in multiple myeloma. Grade 3 myelitis and Grade 3 parkinsonism have been reported after treatment with ABECMA in another study in multiple myeloma.

Monitor patients at least daily for 7 days following ABECMA infusion at the REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs and symptoms of neurologic toxicities. Rule out other causes of neurologic symptoms. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicities for at least 4 weeks after infusion and treat promptly. Neurologic toxicity should be managed with supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed.

Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicity occur at any time.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS): HLH/MAS occurred in 4% (5/127) of patients receiving ABECMA. One patient treated in the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort developed fatal multi-organ HLH/MAS with CRS. In another patient with fatal bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, HLH/MAS was contributory to the fatal outcome. Three cases of Grade 2 HLH/MAS resolved. The rate of HLH/MAS was 8% in the 450 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort and 1% in the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort. All events of HLH/MAS had onset within 10 days of receiving ABECMA with a median onset of 7 days (range: 4-9 days) and occurred in the setting of ongoing or worsening CRS. Two patients with HLH/MAS had overlapping neurotoxicity. The manifestations of HLH/MAS include hypotension, hypoxia, multiple organ dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and cytopenia. HLH/MAS is a potentially life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate if not recognized early and treated. Treatment of HLH/MAS should be administered per institutional standards.

ABECMA REMS: Due to the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, ABECMA is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the ABECMA REMS. Further information is available at www.AbecmaREMS.com or 1-888-423-5436.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of ABECMA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in ABECMA.

Infections: ABECMA should not be administered to patients with active infections or inflammatory disorders. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections occurred in patients after ABECMA infusion. Infections (all grades) occurred in 70% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred in 23% of patients. Overall, 4 patients had Grade 5 infections (3%); 2 patients (1.6%) had Grade 5 events of pneumonia, 1 patient (0.8%) had Grade 5 bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and 1 patient (0.8%) had cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after ABECMA infusion and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic, preemptive, and/or therapeutic antimicrobials according to standard institutional guidelines.

Febrile neutropenia was observed in 16% (20/127) of patients after ABECMA 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: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection resulting in pneumonia and death has occurred following ABECMA administration. Monitor and treat for CMV reactivation in accordance with clinical guidelines. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against plasma cells. Perform screening for CMV, HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing.

Prolonged Cytopenias: Patients may exhibit prolonged cytopenias following lymphodepleting chemotherapy and ABECMA infusion. In the KarMMa study, 41% of patients (52/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 49% (62/127) experienced prolonged Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia that had not resolved by Month 1 following ABECMA infusion. Rate of prolonged neutropenia was 49% in the 450 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort and 34% in the 300 x 10⁶ CAR+ T cell dose cohort. In 83% (43/52) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia after Month 1, the median time to recovery from ABECMA infusion was 1.9 months. In 65% (40/62) of patients who recovered from Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, the median time to recovery was 2.1 months. Median time to cytopenia recovery was similar across the 300 and 450 x 10⁶ dose cohort.

Three patients underwent stem cell therapy for hematopoietic reconstitution due to prolonged cytopenia. Two of the three patients died from complications of prolonged cytopenia. Monitor blood counts prior to and after ABECMA infusion. Manage cytopenia with myeloid growth factor and blood product transfusion support according to institutional guidelines.

Hypogammaglobulinemia: Plasma cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia can occur in patients receiving treatment with ABECMA. Hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse event in 21% (27/127) of patients; laboratory IgG levels fell below 500 mg/dl after infusion in 25% (32/127) of patients treated with ABECMA.

Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with ABECMA and administer IVIG for IgG <400 mg/dl. Manage per local institutional guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis.

The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or following ABECMA 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 ABECMA treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with ABECMA.

Secondary Malignancies: Patients treated with ABECMA may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor life-long for secondary malignancies. If a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Bristol Myers Squibb at 1-888-805-4555 to obtain instructions on patient samples to collect for testing of secondary malignancy of T cell origin.

Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery: Due to the potential for neurologic events, including altered mental status or seizures, patients receiving ABECMA are at risk for altered or decreased consciousness or coordination in the 8 weeks following ABECMA 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.

Adverse Reactions: The most common nonlaboratory adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 20%) include CRS, infections – pathogen unspecified, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, hypogammaglobulinemia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, viral infections, encephalopathy, edema, pyrexia, cough, headache, and decreased appetite.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide.

About 2seventy bio

Our name, 2seventy bio, reflects why we do what we do - TIME. Cancer rips time away, and our goal is to work at the maximum speed of translating human thought into action – 270 miles per hour – to give the people we serve more time. We are building the leading immuno-oncology cell therapy company, focused on discovering and developing new therapies that truly disrupt the cancer treatment landscape With a deep understanding of the human body’s immune response to tumor cells and how to translate cell therapies into practice, we’re applying this knowledge to deliver next generation cellular therapies that focus on a broad range of hematologic malignancies, including the first FDA-approved CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma, as well as solid tumors. Our research and development is focused on delivering therapies that are designed with the goal to “think” smarter and faster than the disease. Importantly, we remain focused on accomplishing these goals by staying genuine and authentic to our “why” and keeping our people and culture top of mind every day.

For more information, visit www.2seventybio.com.

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2seventy bio is a trademark of 2seventy bio, Inc.

2seventy bio Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development, and commercialization of Abecma. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These statements include, but are not limited to: statements about our plans, timelines and expectations with respect to the development of ide-cel, including the results and expected timing of ongoing and planned clinical trials; statements about the efficacy and perceived therapeutic benefits of ide-cel and the potential indications and market opportunities and demand therefor. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others, the possibility that ide-cel will not be successful in earlier lines of therapy, may not be commercially successful, that continued approval of such product candidate for such indication described in this release may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials, and that the collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb may not continue or be successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect 2seventy bio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in 2seventy bio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, 2seventy bio undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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Investors:

Elizabeth Pingpank

860-463-0469

elizabeth.pingpank@2seventybio.com



Media:

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774.313.9852

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Source: 2seventy bio, Inc.

FAQ

What were the results of the KarMMa-2 study for TSVT?

The KarMMa-2 study showed an overall response rate of 83.8% in cohort 2a and 87.1% in cohort 2c for patients treated with Abecma.

When will the KarMMa-9 study for Abecma begin?

The KarMMa-9 study, evaluating Abecma for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with suboptimal transplant responses, is set to begin soon.

What is the significance of the findings related to Abecma for TSVT?

The findings emphasize Abecma's potential in treating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, particularly in patients with suboptimal transplant responses.

What are the progression-free survival rates reported in the KarMMa-2 study for TSVT?

The 12-month progression-free survival rates reported were 47.9% for cohort 2a and 90.1% for cohort 2c in the KarMMa-2 study.

What is the relevance of the ASH Annual Meeting for TSVT?

Data from the KarMMa-2 study will be presented at the ASH Annual Meeting, indicating the importance of these findings in the wider medical community.