Amgen to partner with Janssen in drug-combination study

Amgen plans to partner with Janssen Biotech to further assess the drug combination of KYPROLIS, developed by Amgen, and DARZALEX, developed by Janssen.
The evaluation of the combination took place over the course of multiple clinical trials involving patients who have multiple myeloma. According to the terms, the two companies can either supply drug only or supply drug and share the cost of development on a trial-by-trial basis.
"Given the relapsing nature of multiple myeloma, several options are needed to attack the disease differently and keep patients in remission as long as possible," Amgen Executive Vice President of Research and Development Dr. Sean Harper said. "We are excited to collaborate with Janssen to evaluate the potential of combining KYPROLIS, a powerful proteasome inhibitor, with DARZALEX, the first human anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma in the relapsed setting."
The first of the clinical trials to take place will be a Phase 3 study that will assess the combination of KYPROLIS and DARZALEX along with dexamethasone, which will be compared to KYPROLIS combined with only dexamethasone in myeloma patients who have received one, two or three types of therapy.