Sales of new CAR-T drugs Carvykti 88%↑· Kymriah stalled

Sales of Novartis' Kymriah 18%↓YoY…Jansen's Carvykti 88%↑

BMS' Breyanzi·Abecma sales increased significantly…attributed to the expanded indication

Sales performance of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell therapies has been interchanging.

 

Novartis' Kymriah, which entered the market first, is troubling as latecomer competitors enter the market.

 

In contrast, sales of Jansen's Carvykti and BMS' Breyanzi expanded significantly due to expanded indications.

 

According to the pharmaceutical industry on December 3, Carvykti generated sales of US$286 million (about KRW 40 billion) in Q3, up 88% YoY.

 

Carvykti recorded US$629 million in net sales for 9 months this year, up 84% from US$341 million last year.

 

CAR-T is a gene and cell therapy, which involves engineering T-cells to express receptors responding to particular types of cancer cells.

 

The cells are then injected into the patient.

 

This approach has shown potential effectiveness in patients unresponsive to conventional anticancer treatments.

 

Carvykti's strength lies in its efficacy.

 

Initially utilized as a fourth-line treatment for multiple myeloma, subsequent clinical trials have expanded its indication to second-line therapy in the U.S.

 

and Europe.

 

Clinical studies have demonstrated that Carvykti significantly prolongs survival in multiple myeloma patients.

 

Sales trend of major new CAR-T drugs (unit: US$1 million).

Sales of BMS' two new CAR-T drugs, Breyanzi and Abecma, also significantly increased.

 

First, Breyanzi recorded sales of US$224 million in Q3, up 143% YoY.

 

Breyanzi's 9 months sales of this year amounted to US$484 million, up 84% YoY.

 

Breyanzi has shown an upward trend for four consecutive quarters after recording sales of US$92 million in Q3.

 

Breyanzi's strength lies in its broad scope of use.

 

Breyanzi secured indications to treat relapsed·refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and follicular lymphoma.

 

Analysis suggests it has the most potential to treat various blood cancers among other new CAR-T drugs.

 

BMS seeks to expand approval for Breyanzi in countries in the field of lymphoma.

 

Breyanzi recently secured follicular lymphoma indication in Japan, and it is under review for approval in Europe.

 

Abecma generated sales of US$124 million in Q3, up 33% YoY.

 

Breyanzi is the fifth approved new drug of CAR-T in the U.S.

 

It targets BMCA, an index involved in immune cell overgrowth.

 

Unlike CD19-targeting Kymriah and Breyanzi, Abecma has a novel mechanism of action, thereby opening a new market.

 

Sales of Yescarta·Kymriah have stalled following the introduction of competing drugs Sales of Gilead Sciences' Yescarta, which has been in a leading position in the market for new CAR-T drugs, slightly decreased from the previous year.

 

Yescarta recorded US$387 million in Q3, down 1% YoY.

 

Yescarta is the new CAR-T drug introduced to the market following Kymriah.

 

Yescarta was quickly established in the market after successfully expanding its indications.

 

In March 2021, Yescarta was initially approved for follicular lymphoma.

 

Last year, it was approved for the second-line treatment of DLBCL and acute lymphocytic leukemia.

 

However, as Carvykti and Breyanzi rapidly became competing drugs to Yescarta, the upward trend of Yescarta has been slow.

 

Yescarta's Q2 sales of last year amounted to US$380 million, and Q3 sales slightly increased to US$391 million.

 

However, sales have been stalled after recording US$380 million in Q1 of this year.

 

Sales of Novartis' Kymriah has been continued to slow down.

 

Kymriah recorded sales of US$102 million in Q3, down 18% YoY.

 

Kymriah recorded sales of US$120 million in Q1 this year, showing a decreasing sales trend for three consecutive quarters.

 

Kymriah was approved to treat relapsed and refractory DLBCL and acute lymphocytic leukemia as the first among new CAR-T drugs, opening a new market.

 

However, as the additional indication was delayed, Kymriah fell behind the competition.

 

Yescarta secured an indication to treat follicular lymphoma in the United States in March 2021.

 

Kymriah was approved for the indication a year later, in May 2022.

 

Yescarta and Breyanzi were approved for the second-line treatment of lymphoma.

 

However, Kymriah failed to demonstrate effectiveness in the clinical trial.

 

Novartis expects Kymriah to demonstrate strength in terms of the safety profile.

 

Certain CAR-T drugs have shown neurotoxicity-related adverse reactions.

 

Novartis anticipates the use of Kymriah, which has superior tolerability, will expand to elderly and high-risk patients.