GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) announced that its blood cancer drug Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin), in combination with two current treatments, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) in China.
This award, granted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), is aimed at speeding up the development of treatments for serious diseases that show promise in improving patient outcomes over current options.
It received its pass to the fast track based on interim results from the phase III DREAMM-7 trial, which showed significant improvements in progression-free survival for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma compared to existing treatments.
Though overall survival results are still being monitored, the trial also demonstrated deeper, longer-lasting responses with Blenrep in combination with a treatment called BorDex.
Multiple myeloma is a growing health concern in China, with 30,000 new cases annually. The disease’s incidence and mortality have increased significantly over the past 30 years.