MINJUVI® (tafasitamab) for Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Approved in Australia
Rhea-AI Summary
Specialised Therapeutics announced TGA registration of Minjuvi (tafasitamab) in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide for adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (Grade 1-3a) in Australia.
The approval makes Minjuvi the first chemotherapy-free CD19/CD20 dual-targeted immunotherapy regimen in Australia; Phase 3 inMIND (652 patients; 548 R/R FL) showed median PFS 22.4 months versus 13.9 months (57% risk reduction). PBS listing is not yet in place.
Positive
- TGA registration of Minjuvi combination for R/R follicular lymphoma in Australia
- First chemotherapy-free CD19/CD20 dual-targeted regimen approved in Australia
- Phase 3 inMIND: median PFS 22.4 months vs 13.9 months (57% risk reduction)
- Clinical dataset included 652 patients with 548 R/R FL participants; 54 Australians enrolled
Negative
- Minjuvi is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- InMIND reported common serious infections (26%) as adverse reactions
- Treatment can cause severe myelosuppression; requires regular complete blood count monitoring
News Market Reaction – INCY
In the Apr 23 session, INCY declined 1.31%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21 | Clinical data update | Positive | -0.7% | Positive Phase 3 frontMIND tafasitamab data slated for ASCO oral presentation. |
| Apr 09 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | +1.1% | Announcement of schedule for Q1 2026 financial results and conference call. |
| Mar 25 | Leadership changes | Positive | +1.8% | Executive appointments to strengthen R&D and late-stage development leadership structure. |
| Mar 20 | Dermatology data | Positive | -2.3% | Late-breaking 54-week Phase 3 povorcitinib data and ruxolitinib cream presentations at AAD. |
| Mar 06 | EU drug approval | Positive | +1.2% | European Commission approval of Zynyz plus chemotherapy for first-line SCAC treatment. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent positive regulatory and clinical updates have produced mixed reactions, with several instances where favorable data or approvals coincided with short-term share price declines.
Over recent months, INCY has reported multiple pipeline and regulatory milestones, including European Commission approval of Zynyz for SCAC on Mar 6 and late-breaking hidradenitis suppurativa data on Mar 20. Leadership changes were announced on Mar 25, and new Phase 3 tafasitamab data for DLBCL were highlighted on Apr 21. Market reactions have alternated between gains and pullbacks, suggesting that even positive oncology updates, like today’s Australian Minjuvi approval, have not always translated into consistent upside.
Key Terms
cd19 medical
cd20 medical
immunotherapy medical
therapeutic goods administration regulatory
phase 3 medical
progression-free survival medical
project orbis regulatory
myelosuppression medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Minjuvi® (tafasitamab), in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide, is the first and only chemotherapy-free CD19 and CD20 dual-targeted immunotherapy combination regimen to be approved in
Australia for adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) (Grade 1-3a).1,2 - Despite the availability of existing treatments, R/R FL remains incurable, is characterised by repeated relapses and typically has a poor prognosis.3
- Follicular lymphoma is the second most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with 1,500 Australians newly diagnosed each year.4,5
The TGA registration establishes Minjuvi as the first and only chemotherapy-free CD19 and CD20 dual-targeted immunotherapy combination regimen to be approved in
"While most patients with follicular lymphoma respond well to initial treatment and patients' prognosis has improved, around one in five will see their lymphoma return within two years, which is often linked to poorer long-term outcomes," said Professor Judith Trotman, Senior Staff Specialist and Lymphoma Group Lead in the Haematology Department at Concord Repatriation General Hospital in
Follicular Lymphoma (FL) is the second most common form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), accounting for 20
"The TGA registration of Minjuvi marks an important new advance for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, bringing Australian clinical practice in line with accepted global standards of care," said Professor Trotman.
The TGA registration of Minjuvi in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide in R/R FL was based on the results from the global Phase 3 inMIND clinical study. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the regimen in 652 patients, including 548 participants with R/R FL. Notably, 54 Australians participated across 12 local trial sites across the country.6
In the clinical trial, patients receiving the Minjuvi combination regimen achieved a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in median progression-free survival (PFS) of 22.4 months (compared to 13.9 months in patients receiving placebo added to lenalidomide and rituximab) — representing a
Minjuvi was generally well-tolerated, with a manageable safety profile.6 The most common adverse reactions in the Phase 3 study (≥
In 2021, ST entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) to commercialise Minjuvi in
"Follicular lymphoma is an incurable blood cancer and treatment options after relapse remain limited, with each recurrence more challenging to find effective treatments," said Carlo Montagner, ST Chief Executive Officer. "We are extremely proud to bring the first and only chemotherapy-free treatment option to eligible Australians with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, addressing a critical need for new therapies that may lower the risk of disease progression, relapse or death."
"The Minjuvi approval represents the ninth time ST has successfully navigated the Project Orbis process since 2021," said Mr Montagner. "With TGA registration secured, we are committed to working with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to enable equitable access to Minjuvi for Australians with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma as soon as possible."
For further details on Minjuvi, contact your healthcare professional and please refer to the approved Australian Consumer Medicine Information or Product Information available from the TGA website.
PBS Information: Minjuvi is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Important safety Information on Minjuvi7
Minjuvi should be administered to patients with an active infection only if the infection is treated appropriately and well controlled. Patients with a history of recurring or chronic infections may be at increased risk of infection and should be monitored appropriately. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare professionals if fever or other evidence of potential infection, such as chills, cough or pain on urination, develops. Treatment with Minjuvi in combination with lenalidomide and/or rituximab should not be initiated in female patients unless pregnancy has been excluded.
In the inMIND study, the most common adverse reactions were infections (
Treatment with tafasitamab can cause serious or severe myelosuppression including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anaemia. Complete blood counts should be monitored throughout treatment and prior to administration of each treatment cycle.
Ends.
About Minjuvi® (tafasitamab)
Minjuvi® (tafasitamab) is a humanised Fc-modified cytolytic CD19-targeting monoclonal antibody. Tafasitamab incorporates an XmAb® engineered Fc domain, which mediates B-cell lysis through apoptosis and immune effector mechanism including Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis (ADCP). Incyte licenses exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise tafasitamab from Xencor, Inc.
In
Minjuvi is not indicated and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma outside of controlled clinical trials.
▼ This medicine is included in the TGA Black Triangle Scheme. Please report suspected adverse events to the TGA.
In the
Monjuvi is not approved and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma outside of controlled clinical trials.
Additionally, Monjuvi received accelerated approval in
In
In
XmAb® is a registered trademark of Xencor, Inc.
Monjuvi and Minjuvi are registered trademarks of Incyte.
About the inMIND Study6,7
A global, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study, inMIND (NCT04680052) evaluated the efficacy and safety of tafasitamab in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide compared with placebo in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) Grade 1 to 3a or relapsed or refractory nodal, splenic or extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). The study enrolled a total of 654 adults (age ≥18 years).
The primary endpoint of the study is progression-free survival (PFS) by investigator assessment in the FL population, and the key secondary endpoints are PFS in the overall population as well as positron emission tomography complete response (PET-CR) and overall survival (OS) in the FL population.
The clinical trial met its primary endpoint, with the data demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in comparison to placebo added to lenalidomide and rituximab.6 Patients receiving Minjuvi in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide achieved a median PFS by investigator assessment of 22.4 months (
Minjuvi was generally well-tolerated, with a manageable safety profile.6 Safety and tolerability were comparable with the addition of tafasitamab to lenalidomide in combination with rituximab.6 The most common adverse reactions in the Phase 3 study (≥
About Specialised Therapeutics
Founded in 2007, Specialised Therapeutics is an independent specialty pharmaceutical company, providing novel therapies and technologies to patients in
Additional information can be found at www.stbiopharma.com.
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SOURCE Specialised Therapeutics