Norwalk, Conn., February 24, 2015 – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) praises the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to approve Farydak (panobinostat) for patients with advanced myeloma and treatment resistant multiple myeloma. Specifically, Farydak is approved in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma for patients who have received at least two prior standard therapies, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory (IMiD) agent.
“The MMRF commends the diligence of Drs. Pazdur, Farrell and the Division of Hematology Products at FDA, as well as the myeloma community, working with Novartis in approving the first histone deacytelase (HDAC) inhibitor, an entirely new and important class of treatments for multiple myeloma,” said Walter M. Capone, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. “In particular, their enlightened efforts to specify the profile of patients most likely to benefit from Farydak, will enable patients and their doctors to access a vital new option for the most challenging relapsed disease.”
“Consistent with its commitment to accelerating new treatment options for patients, the MMRF, through its research subsidiary the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), has supported the development of panobinostat from among the earliest Phase 1b studies to ongoing combination trials with other novel treatments. The MMRF extends its deepest gratitude to the researchers, centers and patients worldwide who assisted in attaining this important milestone in the treatment of multiple myeloma.”
“The promise of the HDAC class of drugs, that targets malignant cells in a completely different manner, is an important advance in helping patients whose myeloma is progressing despite prior treatments and can contribute to our mission of attaining cures for all patients,” added Capone.
About Multiple Myeloma (MM)
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the plasma cell. It is the second most common blood cancer. An estimated 26,850 adults (14,000 men and 12,760 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with MM in 2015 and an estimated 11,240 people are predicted to die from the disease. The five-year survival rate for MM is approximately 45%, versus 28% in 1998.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy’s diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world’s number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised $275 million since its inception and directs nearly 90% of total budget to research and related programming.