The data created by the CoMMpass longitudinal genomic profiling study (NCT01454297) was employed in several significant clinical trials presented at the 19th International Myeloma Society (IMS) annual meeting, according to a press release from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF).
The CoMMpass, or Clinical Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma Personal Assessment of Genetic Profiles trial, which collected data from an estimated 1150 patients worldwide, provided data that were cited in 19 abstracts at IMS, including 4 oral presentations. It was also announced that the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium presented results from the MyDRUG clinical trial (NCT03732703) that investigated targeted therapies with precision medicine in patients with multiple myeloma.
CoMMpass data fuels 19 IMS abstracts, advancing new research and delivering meaningful insights to the myeloma research community
Results from the MyDRUG platform trial show the promise of MEK Inhibitor cobimetinib for myeloma patients with NRAS/KRAS/B-RAF mutations
Norwalk, Conn., August 24, 2022— Today, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced that new insights and hypotheses related to predictive biomarkers, disease progression, therapeutic resistance, risk assessment, and personalized medicine were generated using data from its landmark CoMMpass StudySM. The findings will be presented at the 19th International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles from August 25 – 27, 2022.
Data from the CoMMpass study are cited in 19 abstracts, four of which were selected to be oral presentations, demonstrating its value in driving new advancements across multiple myeloma research. CoMMpass represents the largest longitudinal genomic data set in multiple myeloma and has led to groundbreaking discoveries that have transformed how researchers understand the biology of multiple myeloma.
“Our mission is to accelerate a cure for each and every myeloma patient,” said Michael Andreini, President and CEO of the MMRF. “Research presented at this year’s IMS Annual Meeting reaffirms our commitment to building models and resources for the myeloma research community that drive progress for patients and new opportunities for researchers. We are thrilled that the CoMMpass study has been used by hundreds of researchers worldwide and continues to generate meaningful learnings that have played a vital role in accelerating the pace of research that can now be translated to clinical care.”
Notable findings at this year’s IMS meeting that incorporate CoMMpass data include:
“Despite great strides in treatment, multiple myeloma remains incurable and often fatal, which is why the use of CoMMpass data, presented in 19 abstracts at the 19th IMS Annual Meeting, further validates the value and utility of our comprehensive genomic and clinical CoMMpass data,” said Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of the MMRF. “CoMMpass continues to be one of the most important drivers of myeloma research. The MMRF is committed to working closely with researchers across the globe to drive breakthroughs using CoMMpass data, with the goal of bringing us closer to accelerating a cure for every myeloma patient.”
The CoMMpass study currently includes an estimated 1,150 patients spanning 76 sites worldwide and it continues to grow in impact as the data matures.
The IMS meeting will also feature data being presented from MyDRUGSM, a first-in-myeloma Phase 1/2 platform clinical trial conducted in the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC). MyDRUG builds upon discoveries of common cancer-associated mutations in CoMMpass. Targeted therapies specific to some of these mutations are approved in other types of cancer. The goal of MyDRUG is to determine if precision medicine strategies using these targeted therapies are safe and effective in myeloma patients with these mutations.
The study team will report on one sub-protocol of MyDRUG for patients with mutations in NRAS, KRAS, or BRAF. The MEK inhibitor cobimetinib is approved in skin cancer for patients with these mutations. The investigators will present safety and efficacy data of cobimetinib in combination with a standard-of-care, all-oral regimen of ixazomib (Ninlaro), pomalidomide (Pomalyst) and dexamethasone.
About the MMRF CoMMpass StudySM
The MMRF CoMMpass Study is a longitudinal study of patients with newly diagnosed active multiple myeloma. The goal is to map the genomic profile of each patient at diagnosis and each relapse to clinical outcomes in order to develop a more complete understanding of how patients respond to treatments.
About the MMRF MyDRUG StudySM
The MMRF MyDRUG study is the first platform trial in myeloma. The purpose of MyDRUG is to test targeted therapies not yet approved in myeloma, in combination with a standard of care oral triplet therapy, in functionally high-risk multiple myeloma patients who demonstrate specific genetic alterations.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
A pioneer in personalized medicine, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) seeks to find a cure for all multiple myeloma patients by relentlessly pursuing innovations that accelerate the development of personalized treatments for cancer. Founded in 1998 by Kathy Giusti, a multiple myeloma patient, and her twin sister Karen Andrews as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the MMRF has created the benchmark business model around cancer—from data to analytics to the clinic. The MMRF identifies barriers and then finds the solutions to overcome them, bringing in the best partners and aligning incentives in the industry to drive better outcomes for patients. Since its inception, the organization has collected thousands of samples and tissues, opened nearly 100 trials, helped bring more than 15 FDA-approved therapies to market, and built CoMMpass, the single largest genomic dataset in myeloma. Today, the MMRF is building on its legacy in genomics and is expanding into immunotherapy, as the combination of these two fields will be critical to making personalized medicine possible for all patients. The MMRF has raised more than $500 million and directs nearly 90% of the total funds to research and related programs. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.
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Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Media Contact:
C.J. Volpe, Director, PR and Communications
203.652.0453
[email protected]
“Treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma can be extremely difficult despite the tremendous progress we have made,” said Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of the MMRF. “Uncovering new targets and therapies that act upon them may be helpful in the future for patients who develop resistance to current treatment such as CD38-targeting monoclonal antibodies….”
Grace Allison, B.S.N., RN, OCN, RN-BC, one of the patient navigators at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), humbly says she’s honored to help her incredible, inspiring patients along their journey fighting the incurable blood cancer.
As anyone who has sat at the bedside of a terminally ill patient knows, those who hold out a hand — literally or figuratively — to help a patient and their loved ones is a hero to them. Grace is one of these heroes to all of her patients as they battle against the complex cancer.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has announced the appointment of George Mulligan as its Chief Scientific Officer, where he will lead the development, execution, and communication of the organization’s overall research strategy to drive clinically meaningful scientific advances for myeloma patients. Mulligan brings…
MMRF Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hearn Cho joins Dr. P to highlight the importance of raising awareness about the impact of multiple myeloma on African American communities. This informative discussion is a must listen to for every Black family.
Norwalk, Conn., March 30, 2022 — The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has appointed George Mulligan, Ph.D., as its new Chief Scientific Officer effective immediately. In this role, Dr. Mulligan will lead the development, execution, and communication of the MMRF’s overall research strategy to drive clinically meaningful scientific advances for myeloma patients.
Dr. Mulligan brings to the MMRF more than 20 years of diverse experience in drug development, translational, and clinical research across the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, including extensive research in the myeloma space. His previous roles include serving as the Chief Scientific Officer at Mitobridge where he drove the overall scientific and translational strategy for its mitochondrial platform and clinical compounds. Dr. Mulligan was also Senior Director of Translational Medicine at Millennium/Takeda, leading much of its biomarker and translational research strategy for the myeloma treatment Velcade (bortezomib), and driving early genomics research that helped initiate pivotal initiatives such as the MMRF’s CoMMpass Study—the most comprehensive longitudinal genomic study ever conducted in myeloma.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Mulligan join our team as Chief Scientific Officer,” said Michael Andreini, President and CEO, the MMRF. “He brings a wealth of myeloma-focused experience in translational and clinical research to the MMRF, and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and passion for our mission to accelerate cures for patients. The knowledge, insight, and commitment he brings to the table will be instrumental in driving our research strategy forward on behalf of the myeloma community.”
As a member of the MMRF leadership team, Dr. Mulligan will contribute to all aspects of the MMRF and its subsidiary companies, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) and the Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF), to accelerate the development of next-generation therapies, drive research to deliver more precise and personalized treatment approaches, and empower patients with information and resources to extend their lives.
“I feel fortunate to help lead the MMRF in our urgent pursuit of a cure for each and every myeloma patient,” said Dr. Mulligan. “Since the MMRF was founded, there has been so much progress to advance new therapies for myeloma—but more clinical and translational research needs to be done. We will continue to urgently build on this legacy through our innovative and collaborative research programs until we reach our goal of a cure for every patient.”
To learn more about the MMRF and its mission, visit www.themmrf.org.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
A pioneer in precision medicine, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) seeks to find a cure for all multiple myeloma patients by relentlessly pursuing innovations that accelerate the development of precision treatments for cancer. Founded in 1998 by Kathy Giusti, a multiple myeloma patient, and her twin sister Karen Andrews as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the MMRF has created the business model around cancer—from data to analytics to the clinic. The MMRF identifies barriers and then finds the solutions to overcome them, bringing in the best partners and aligning incentives in the industry to drive better outcomes for patients. Since its inception, the organization has collected thousands of samples and tissues, opened nearly 100 trials, helped bring 13 FDA-approved therapies to market, and built CoMMpass, the single largest genomic dataset for any cancer. Today, the MMRF is building on its legacy in genomics and is expanding into immunotherapy, as the combination of these two fields will be critical to making precision medicine possible for all patients. The MMRF has raised nearly $500 million and directs nearly 90% of the total funds to research and related programs. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.
Norwalk, CT, March 17, 2022 —The Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF), the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s (MMRF) venture philanthropy subsidiary, today announced an investment in Triumvira Immunologics (“Triumvira”), an Austin, TX-based clinical-stage biotech developing novel, targeted autologous and allogeneic T cell immunotherapies that co-opt the natural biology of T cells to treat solid tumors and blood cancers.
The MIF is joined by other investors, including the B Capital Group and ATEM Capital, with participation from existing Triumvira investors Leaps by Bayer, the impact investment unit of Bayer AG, and Northpond Ventures. The funding will support Triumvira’s continued preclinical and clinical development of its T cell antigen coupler (TAC)-T cell therapy programs. Triumvira’s proprietary TAC receptor, a multi-domain chimeric molecule, interacts directly with the natural T cell receptor to uniquely help T cells recognize and eliminate tumor cells.
“We are thrilled to partner with Triumvira to help advance its novel (TAC)-T cell therapy programs which could have significant benefit for the treatment of myeloma,” said Michael Andreini, President and CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. “This is the MIF’s eighth investment and with the continued growth of its portfolio, we are strengthening our commitment to unlock the potential of immunotherapies and speed their delivery to each and every myeloma patient.”
“We are excited about our investment in Triumvira and the potential of (TAC)-T cell therapy approaches for hematologic malignancies,” said Peter Kosa, Ph.D., Managing Director of the Myeloma Investment Fund. “This investment is consistent with our mission to drive the development of precision treatments and we believe Triumvira’s technology will have broad applications in treating myeloma.”
For more information, visit www.triumvira.com.
About the Myeloma Investment Fund The Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF), is a venture philanthropy fund that invests in promising companies, clinical assets, and technologies in oncology to accelerate the delivery of precision medicine approaches and a cure to every multiple myeloma patient. The MIF collaborates closely with portfolio companies to help them advance multiple myeloma research, providing access to longstanding relationships with pharmaceutical companies and academic medical centers, a clinical network of 23 sites, and data from the largest genomics data set of any cancer. This evergreen fund is supported entirely by philanthropy; all profits will be reinvested back into research for more effective treatments until there is a cure for every patient. For more information, visit MyelomaInvestmentFund.org.
Media Contact:
C.J. Volpe
Director, PR and Communications
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
203.652.0453
[email protected]
