Introduction and marketing status of mabelantuzumab

Belantuzumab (Blenrep) is an innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting multiple myeloma that provides a new treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The drug is composed of a humanized anti-BCMA (B cell maturation antigen) IgG1 antibody coupled with the cytotoxic drug MMAF through a non-cleavable linker. It can specifically target BCMA on the surface of multiple myeloma cells and release MMAF through internalization, thereby destroying the microtubule network, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

The development process of belantuzumab was full of challenges and breakthroughs. Since2009, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Seagen (acquired by Pfizer) have reached a cooperation agreement to jointly promote the research, development and commercialization of belantuzumab. After years of clinical trials and verification, berantuzumab was first approved for marketing in the United States and the European Union in 2020 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four previous treatments (including anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, proteasome inhibitors, and immunomodulators).

Despite this, the development of belantuzumab has not stopped. In order to explore more possibilities in the treatment of multiple myeloma, GSK has conducted a number of clinical trials, including phase III studies such as DREAMM-7 and DREAMM-8. The results of these studies provide strong support for the use of belantuzumab in second-line and subsequent treatment. Based on these research results, Berantuzumab has also accelerated its launch in China. In 2024, the marketing application for belantuzumab was accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China and included in priority review for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one previous therapy.

The launch of berantuzumab marks an important development in the treatment of multiple myeloma. It not only provides new treatment options for patients, but also provides clinicians with more treatment strategies. As the research on berantuzumab continues to deepen and clinical experience continues to accumulate, we have reason to believe that this drug will play a more important role in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

In short, berantuzumab, as an innovative antibody-drug conjugate, has shown unique advantages and potential in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Its R&D process and marketing status reflect the challenges and breakthroughs in the drug R&D process, as well as the pursuit and expectations of innovative drugs in the global pharmaceutical field.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/search.php?searchterm=Blenrep&sources%5B%5D=professional