Early results from Johnson & Johnson’s trispecific antibody show promising response in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients

On June 3, 2025 Johnson & Johnson reported initial Phase 1 results of JNJ-79635322 (JNJ-5322), a novel investigational trispecific antibody (TsAb) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, JUN 3, 2025, View Source;johnsons-trispecific-antibody-show-promising-response-in-heavily-pretreated-multiple-myeloma-patients-302471267.html [SID1234653684]). Among the 36 patients who received the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), the overall response rate (ORR) was 86.1 percent. In the 27 patients who were naive to BCMA and GPRC5D directed therapies, the ORR was 100 percent at the RP2D. Findings were featured in an oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Abstract #7505). The study will also be featured as one of the six best abstracts during the Plenary Abstracts Session at the 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress (Abstract #S100).1

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JNJ-5322 has a novel and distinct structure that builds upon the experience with two approved first-in-class bispecific antibodies: teclistamab and talquetamab. Unlike these bispecific antibodies, JNJ-5322 is a single molecule that simultaneously binds to three distinct targets (BCMA and GPRC5D on multiple myeloma cells, as well as CD3 on T-cells). JNJ-5322 targets two myeloma antigens, with the goal of overcoming tumor heterogeneity and preventing the development of resistance.

In the Phase 1, first-in-human study (NCT05652335), researchers investigated escalating doses of JNJ-5322 in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In the trial, 126 patients received JNJ-5322 with a median follow-up of 8.2 months. The recommended RP2D of 100 mg Q4W consists of one step-up dose of 5 mg and monthly dosing with 100 mg thereafter.

"The response rate with JNJ-5322 is encouraging as we explore the potential of this trispecific antibody for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients," said Niels van de Donk, M.D., Ph. D., VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. "In addition to its monthly dosing and promising efficacy, the results indicate a promising safety profile and that further study of JNJ-5322 is warranted."

"These promising data are a major step forward as Johnson & Johnson works to transform outcomes in oncology with next-generation immunotherapies, building on our leading portfolio of complementary and combinable therapies. We look forward to seeing the results of planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies," said Jordan Schecter, M.D., Vice President, Research & Development, Multiple Myeloma, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "We hope to redefine what’s possible in terms of efficacy and safety, creating another strong treatment option clinicians can choose based on the needs of their patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma."

The most common adverse event was cytokine release syndrome (CRS), occurring in 59 percent of patients, but no events were Grade 3 or higher. Twenty-eight percent of patients experienced Grade 3 or higher infections. Five patients had dose-limiting toxicities, and four treatment emergent patient deaths due to adverse events were reported, with one death caused by adenoviral encephalitis related to the drug.

Taste-related AEs were reported in 58 percent of patients, majority Grade 1. The incidence of other GPRC5D-related oral AEs was low, with dry mouth reported in 17 percent of patients (no Grade 2 at RP2D) and dysphagia reported in less than 4 percent of patients (no reported events at the RP2D). In addition, grade 1/2 weight loss occurred in 6% (RP2D) and 12% (all doses) of patients, with no Grade ≥3 weight loss events.

About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.2 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells proliferate and replace normal cells in the bone marrow.3 Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer worldwide and remains an incurable disease.4 In 2024, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. and more than 12,000 will die from the disease.5 People with multiple myeloma have a 5-year survival rate of 59.8 percent. While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels, kidney problems or infections.

Innovent Biologics Announces Updated Data of IBI363 (First-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias Bispecific Antibody Fusion Protein) from the Phase 1 PoC Clinical Study in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

On June 3, 2025 Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, reported the third oral presentation of clinical data for IBI363 (first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), following IBI363’s other two oral presentations in colorectal cancer and melanoma (Press release, Innovent Biologics, JUN 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234653683]). A manageable safety profile, encouraging efficacy, and trends in long-term survival benefits have been observed in both immunotherapy-resistant squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and wild-type lung adenocarcinoma. It is worth mentioning that Innovent’s pipeline has a total of 8 oral presentations at this ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) conference, representing approximately 2% of the conference’s total oral presentations.

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Innovent Biologics is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States, and Australia to explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 for multiple tumor indications, including immune resistance, cold tumors, and front-line treatments. At this year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting, three oral presentations of IBI363 reported encouraging Phase 1/2 clinical data in the first three indications explored—NSCLC, CRC, and melanoma—focusing on IO-resistant and cold tumors. The data comprehensively demonstrated the breakthrough clinical outcomes of IBI363 across these indications, from robust tumor response to long-term survival benefits. These findings provide strong support of the drug’s novel mechanism of action translating effectively into clinical outcomes, and imply its potential for broader clinical development, offering new hope in areas of immunotherapy where treatment options remain limited.

PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein IBI363 in patients with immunotherapy resistant advanced non-small cell lung cancer: results from a Phase 1 study

Updated data on IBI363 monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC were reported (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05460767). As of the data cutoff date, April 7, 2025, a total of 136 patients with NSCLC had received IBI363 monotherapy (2 μg/kg QW~4mg/kg Q3W), including 67 with squamous cell carcinoma and 58 with EGFR wild-type adenocarcinoma.

IBI363 showed breakthrough therapeutic potential from tumor response to long-term survival benefit in immuno-resistant squamous NSCLC

All 67 squamous NSCLC patients were EGFR wild type. Among them, 28 patients received IBI363 at 1 mg/kg Q2W or 1.5 mg/kg Q3W, and 31 patients received IBI363 at 3 mg/kg Q3W. In the two groups of patients, the proportion of ≥2 lines of previous systemic therapy was 64.3% (18/28) vs 67.7% (21/31), the proportion of previous anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy was 100% (28/28) vs 96.8% (30/31) and the proportion of PD-L1 TPS<1% was 35.7% (10/28) vs 41.9% (13/31).
In the 1/1.5 mg/kg dose group, promising ORR/DCR/PFS/OS were observed. Median OS achieved 15.3 months, suggesting the potential long-term survival benefit of IBI363 as a PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific immunotherapy.
Compared with the 1/1.5 mg/kg dose group, the 3 mg/kg Q3W dose group observed more prominent confirmed ORR (36.7%), DCR (90.0%), PFS (median PFS 9.3 months) and OS trends (median OS not reached, 12-month OS rate 70.9%) (see the table below).

Squamous NSCLC

1/1.5 mg/kg

(n=28)

3 mg/kg

(n=31)

Confirmed ORR, % (95% CI)*

25.9 (11.1, 46.3)

36.7 (19.9, 56.1)

DCR, % (95% CI)*

66.7 (46.0, 83.5)

90.0 (73.5, 97.9)

Median PFS, month (95% CI)

5.5 (1.5, 8.3)

9.3 (6.2, 11.7)

Median PFS follow up time, month (95% CI)

16.5 (14.1, 19.5)

11.3 (10.1, 14.0)

Median OS, month (95% CI)

15.3 (7.6, NC)

NC (10.4, NC)

12-month OS rate, % (95% CI)

58.2 (37.3, 74.3)

70.9 (49.5, 84.5)

Median OS follow up time, month (95% CI)

17.3 (15.3, 20.2)

11.3 (10.3, 11.6)

*Note: One patient in each cohort finished treatment without at least one post-baseline tumor assessment.

Among the patients with PD-L1 TPS<1%, IBI363 demonstrated outstanding efficacy signals: in the 1/1.5 mg/kg group (N=10), the confirmed ORR was 30.0% and the DCR was 90.0%, while that of the 3 mg/kg group (N=13) were 46.2% and 92.3%, suggesting the potential advantage of IBI363 in the population with low expression of PD-L1.
IBI363 showed potential for long-term survival benefits in immuno-resistant wild-type lung adenocarcinoma, especially in patients with smoking history

Among the 58 patients with EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma, 30 patients received IBI363 at 0.6 mg/kg Q2W or 1 mg/kg Q2W or 1.5 mg/kg Q3W, 25 patients received IBI363 at 3 mg/kg Q3W. In the two groups of patients, the proportions of ≥2 lines of previous systemic therapy were 80.0% (24/30) vs 64.0% (16/25), the proportions of previous anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy were both 100%, the proportions of PD-L1 TPS<1% were 26.7% (8/30) vs 40.0% (10/25) and the proportions of smoking history were 56.7% (17/30) vs 60.0% (15/25).
In the 1/1.5 mg/kg dose group, median OS achieved 17.5 months, suggesting the potential long-term survival benefit of IBI363 as a PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific immunotherapy.
Compared with the 0.6/1/1.5 mg/kg dose group, the 3 mg/kg dose group observed higher confirmed ORR (24.0%), DCR (76.0%), PFS (median PFS 5.6 months) and OS trends (median OS not reached, 12-month OS rate 71.6%) (see the table below).

EGFR wild type adenocarcinoma

0.6/1/1.5 mg/kg

(n=30)

3 mg/kg

(n=25)

Confirmed ORR, % (95% CI)*

13.8 (3.9, 31.7)

24.0 (9.4, 45.1)

DCR, % (95% CI)*

62.1 (42.3, 79.3)

76.0 (54.9, 90.6)

Median PFS, month (95% CI)

2.7 (1.4, 5.1)

5.6 (3.1, 9.4)

Median PFS follow up time, month (95% CI)

21.9 (3.1, 21.9)

10.1 (6.1, 11.2)

Median OS, month (95% CI)

17.5 (5.6, NC)

NC (9.4, NC)

12-month OS rate, % (95% CI)

58.2 (38.3, 73.8)

71.6 (45.9, 86.6)

Median OS follow up time, month (95% CI)

17.7 (17.1, 20.9)

10.2 (9.1, 11.4)

* Note: one patient in 0.6/1/1.5mg/kg group finished treatment without at least one post-baseline tumor assessment.

Higher ORR and PFS were observed in lung adenocarcinoma patients with a history of smoking. Among them, the confirmed ORR in the 0.6/1/1.5 mg/kg group (N=17) was 23.5%, and the confirmed ORR in the 3 mg/kg group (N=15) was 33.3%. In all dose groups (N=32), the median PFS of smokers was longer than non-smokers: 5.3 (2.0, 7.0) vs 3.0 (1.6, 5.1) months. In terms of long-term survival benefits, after follow-ups of 12.0 and 13.7 months, the median OS for non-smokers was 13.6 months, whereas the median OS for smokers was not yet reached, with only 9 (28.1%) events occurring.
IBI363 had a manageable safety profile in advanced NSCLC

Among the 57 patients with NSCLC in the 3 mg/kg dose group, the most common treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) of grade 3 or above were arthralgia and rash. 7.0% of patients experienced TRAEs leading to discontinuation. The overall safety profile was manageable.
In view of the encouraging efficacy signals and manageable safety demonstrated by IBI363 monotherapy, Innovent plans to conduct a Phase 3 registration clinical study in locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC that has failed platinum-based chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 /PD-L1 immunotherapy. As of now, IBI363 has received Breakthrough Therapy (BTD) certification from China CDE and Fast Track Designation (FTD) from the US FDA for squamous NSCLC.

Professor Jianya Zhou, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, stated: "Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality rate both globally and in China[1], and it is a major issue endangering public health. Although immunotherapy has completely transformed the treatment landscape of NSCLC, for patients with wild-type NSCLC who have failed immunotherapy, the current standard treatment regimen docetaxel has limited efficacy, with an ORR of less than 20%, a PFS of less than 4 months, and an OS of less than 12 months [2-7]. In recent years, although the exploration of new treatment regimens such as immune combination therapy and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) has brought new hope, many large-scale Phase 3 clinical studies on NSCLC patients who have failed platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy have not achieved satisfactory results, and most of these studies have not met the primary endpoints[2-6]. Although the TROPION-Lung01 study achieved the primary endpoint of PFS in NSCLC, it did not reach the primary endpoint of OS. Especially in squamous NSCLC, no improvement was observed in PFS/OS/ORR in the experimental group. Therefore, there was a huge and urgent unmet medical need in NSCLC that has failed immunotherapy. As a PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific molecule, IBI363 not only shows clinical benefits in both ORR and PFS in immune-resistant NSCLC, but also enables us to see the potential of the tailing effect of immunotherapy to bring long-term survival benefits to patients compared with chemotherapy. We are also more looking forward to the survival data of the long-term follow up in the high dose IBI363 group."

Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated: "It is a great pleasure to orally present the latest progress of IBI363 in the field of lung cancer at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) conference. IBI363 shows remarkable efficacy in immune-resistant wild-type nsclc and clinical data suggests better trends in ORR, DCR, PFS and OS at higher doses. We expect longer-term follow-up to bring more mature data and look forward to seeing its potential as an immunotherapy for the long-term survival benefits of patients. Meanwhile, regardless of the expression level of PD-L1, IBI363 has demonstrated a powerful anti-tumor effect in immune-resistant NSCLC (especially squamous NSCLC), suggesting that the effect of IBI363 does not depend on the expression of PD-L1. In the future, it may also bring breakthroughs in cold tumors with low or no expression of PD-L1. We will continue to advance the clinical exploration of IBI363 in NSCLC and other tumor types."

About IBI363 (First-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein)

IBI363 is a first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein independently developed by Innovent Biologics. It functions by both blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activating the IL-2 pathway. The IL-2 arm of IBI363 is designed to maintain its affinity for IL-2Rα while reducing binding to IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγ, thereby minimizing toxicity. The PD-1 binding arm not only blocks PD-1 but also selectively delivers IL-2. This approach targets and activates tumor-specific T cells that express both PD-1 and IL-2α, leading to more precise and effective activation of this T cell subpopulation. IBI363 has demonstrated robust antitumor activity in various tumor-bearing pharmacological models, but also showed outstanding efficacy in PD-1 resistance and metastasis models.

In response to urgent clinical needs, Innovent is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States and Australia to further explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 in various tumor indications, including immune-resistant, cold tumors, and front-line treatments. The first pivotal trial of IBI363 was initiated in 2025 for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic mucosal or acral melanoma who have not received prior systemic therapy.

IBI363 has received two fast track designations (FTD) from the U.S. FDA and two breakthrough designations (BTD) from the China NMPA, for the treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, respectively.

Krystal Biotech to Present at Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On June 3, 2025 Krystal Biotech, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: KRYS) reported that the Company will participate in the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on June 10, 2025, in Miami. Krish S. Krishnan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will take part in a fireside chat scheduled at 2:00 pm ET and host investor meetings throughout the day (Press release, Krystal Biotech, JUN 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234653682]).

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A webcast of the presentation will be available here beginning at 2:00 pm ET on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 and will be posted on the Investors section of the Company’s website.

MacroGenics to Present at the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference 2025

On June 3, 2025 MacroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGNX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported that members of the Company’s management team will present at the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference 2025 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 8:00am ET in Miami, FL (Press release, MacroGenics, JUN 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234653681]).

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A webcast of the above presentation may be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of MacroGenics’ website at View Source The Company will maintain an archived replay of the webcast on its website for 30 days.

Ultragenyx to Participate at Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On June 3, 2025 Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies for serious rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases, reported that Emil Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D., the company’s chief executive officer, will participate in a fireside at the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET (Press release, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, JUN 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234653679]).

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The live and archived webcast of the panel will be accessible from the company’s website at View Source