FDA Priority Review for supplemental Biologics License Application for Reblozyl® in Adults with Beta Thalassemia

Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the FDA has accepted for priority review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Reblozyl® (luspatercept-aamt), a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent, for the treatment of anemia in adults with non-transfusion dependent (NTD) beta thalassemia. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of March 27, 2022. In addition, the European Medicines Agency has validated the Type II variation for Reblozyl in NTD beta thalassemia. Reblozyl is being co-developed and co-commercialized with Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, following Merck’s recent acquisition of Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

These applications were based on safety and efficacy results from the pivotal Phase 2 BEYOND study evaluating Reblozyl plus best supportive care in patients with NTD beta thalassemia.

“Patients with non-transfusion dependent beta thalassemia may not require lifelong blood transfusions for survival, but their need for effective treatment options is significant as they face a range of clinical complications due to chronic anemia and iron overload,” said Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president, Hematology Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Reblozyl is an important therapy approved for anemia associated with beta thalassemia and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in multiple countries, including the United States and within the European Union. Along with our partners at Merck, we are committed to continuing to advance our clinical program for Reblozyl and look forward to working with the FDA during its review of our application for this underserved patient population.”

Updated analyses from the BEYOND study will be presented at the 63rd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition from December 11-14.