There has been significant progress in the treatment of people diagnosed with blood cancers over the past 50 years. Our leadership has advanced transformative therapies for hematologic malignancies, and we are committed to continuing to lead in the evolution of our understanding and treatment of these diseases.

MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Until recently, treatment of multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer, had focused on extending survival through stem cell transplants and targeted therapies. We developed a globally approved therapy that reduces the risk of disease progression and increases time in remission for patients who previously had few options. We are leveraging our extensive understanding of hematologic malignancies to research and develop immune-based therapies that uniquely target multiple myeloma. For example, we have made tremendous advances with our chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy program.

AMYLOIDOSIS

Amyloidosis is a rare and serious disease in which amyloid protein builds up in tissues or organs and eventually can lead to life-threatening organ failure. Our work focuses on better understanding the disease and on whether standard of care plus a new, subcutaneous version of an existing therapy for other hematologic malignancies will benefit patients.

B CELL MALIGNANCIES

We collaborated to pioneer the development of a globally approved, first-in-class treatment for certain B cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), previously treated mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenstrӧm’s macroglobulinemia and previously treated marginal zone lymphoma. We are continuing to innovate to advance care and provide new treatment options for these malignancies, as well as for diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. CLL is the most common form of leukemia in the western world. Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare, aggressive lymphoma with average survival rate of 6-7 years. Waldenstrӧm’s macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma account for the majority of cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

MYELOID MALIGNANCIES

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease of the bone marrow that can quickly spread to the blood. Our focus is to better understand existing therapies that make patients resistant to standard treatment and to find ways to overcome resistance. Patients with AML have a 5-year overall survival rate of 24 percent.

In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells, leading to anemia in 60-80 percent of patients and the need for blood transfusions. We developed the first erythropoiesis-stimulating agents approved to treat anemia in patients with MDS and reduce the number of transfusions.

We are committed to bringing forth new treatment options for patients with AML and MDS and have advanced a comprehensive development program that includes novel bispecific approaches and an antibody targeting a related immune checkpoint. Preclinical work is underway on other promising compounds.