Positive results for Janssen/Genmab's daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide

Positive new data were presented at the European Hematology Association meeting in Copenhagen from the Phase III study MMY3003 (POLLUX) of Darzalex (daratumumab) in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the treatment of myeloma patient.

Darzalex, which is being developed by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) subsidiary Janssen under a potentially $1.1 billion licensing agreement with Denmark-based biotech firm Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN), was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for intravenous infusion for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, and last month the European Commission has granted conditional approval for the drug.

Darzalex enters a market that has been transformed in recent years by a swathe of new myeloma therapies coming to market. These new products are expected to help drive the global market for multiple myeloma therapies from $8.9 billion in 2014 to an estimated $22.4 billion by 2023, according to GlobalData. The market research firm predicts Darzalex could achieve peak sales of $3.7 billion in that year. Sales of Darzelex in the US reached more than $100 million in its first six months on the market, and it is predicted to make $400 million-$450 million in 2016.