Bristol Myers Squibb's CAR-T Conundrum: When Your Race Car Hits a Speed Bump
- Milton
- Sep 27, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 10, 2024
Hey there, pharma fanatics! Buckle up, because we're about to take a wild ride through the twisty world of CAR-T therapy, where Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) just hit a major pothole with their prized vehicle, Abecma.
The Race That Wasn't
Picture this: BMS and its buddy 2seventy bio are revving up their engines for the big CAR-T race in the multiple myeloma Grand Prix. They've got their shiny Abecma all tuned up and ready to go. The green flag drops, and... they can't even get off the starting line. Talk about a false start!
The KarMMa-9 Kerfuffle
Our dynamic duo had to wave the white flag on their phase 3 KarMMa-9 trial. Why, you ask? Well, it seems they couldn't find enough racers – er, patients – to join the race. After a year of trying to fill up 618 seats, they only managed to get 62 butts in the car. That's like trying to fill a stadium and ending up with just enough people for a game of pickup basketball.
The Excuse Pit Stop
Now, BMS and 2seventy are pulling into the pit stop of explanations. They're saying, "Oh, but the other cars are just too good now!" Apparently, over 70% of patients are crossing the finish line with flying colors thanks to improved induction therapies. It's like complaining that you can't sell tickets to your demolition derby because all the cars on the road are suddenly crash-proof.
The Carvykti Speedster
Meanwhile, in the next lane over, Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech are zooming ahead with their sleek Carvykti model. These folks are not just in the race; they're lapping BMS and 2seventy. Carvykti's already made it to the second-line treatment checkpoint, while Abecma's still trying to figure out how to shift into third.
The Financial Fuel Gauge
BMS and 2seventy are trying to put a positive spin on this pit stop. They're saying, "Hey, at least we'll save $80 million in gas money!" That's great, guys, but it's like bragging about how much you're saving on race car fuel when you're not even in the race anymore.
The Cheerleader Section
Despite the setback, 2seventy is still waving its pom-poms. They're expecting a 30% growth in U.S. Abecma sales next quarter. It's cute, really. Like a little league team celebrating a participation trophy while the big leagues are playing in the World Series next door.
The Closing Lap
As we wrap up this lap in the CAR-T Grand Prix, let's take a moment to remember what's really at stake here. Behind all the corporate racing and financial pit stops are real patients hoping for breakthrough treatments. Here's hoping that as these companies jockey for position, they don't forget the finish line that really matters – better outcomes for those battling multiple myeloma.
Stay tuned, folks! In the world of pharma, there's always another race just around the corner. Who knows? Maybe BMS and Abecma will come roaring back with a nitro boost we didn't see coming. After all, in this industry, it ain't over 'til the last patient crosses the finish line!
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