-
Label updates reflect growing body of real-world evidence and regulatory confidence in the safety profile of the class of CD19- and BCMA-directed autologous CAR T cell therapies, reinforcing efforts to increase equitable access
-
Only about 2 in 10 eligible patients currently receive cell therapy treatment; today’s announcement will reduce unnecessary barriers for patients and providers
June 26, 2025--PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved label updates for both of its CAR T cell therapies, Breyanzi® (lisocabtagene maraleucel; liso-cel) for the treatment of large B cell lymphoma (LBCL) and other lymphomas and Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. These label updates reduce certain patient monitoring requirements and remove the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs that had been in place since each product was initially approved.
Despite the transformative potential of cell therapy, only about 2 in 10 eligible patients receive it, due to the confluence of complex logistical and geographic barriers affecting patients and providers. BMS is committed to a long-term goal of expanding access to cell therapy and supports today’s class-wide label updates that will help ease known barriers to treatment and administration while maintaining patient safety.
Across both labels, the FDA has approved the reduction or removal of specific patient monitoring requirements for Breyanzi and Abecma. These prolonged requirements posed burdens on healthcare delivery systems and for certain patients and their care partners, particularly those who live far from certified cell therapy treatment centers. The changes include:
-
Driving restrictions reduced from 8 weeks to 2 weeks post treatment
-
Requirement to stay within proximity of a healthcare facility following infusion reduced from 4 weeks to 2 weeks
“CAR T cell therapy is a transformational, potentially life-saving option for patients living with blood cancers, and we are working to challenge current practices, assumptions and barriers that limit access,” said Lynelle B. Hoch, president, Cell Therapy Organization, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Today's FDA-approved label updates reinforce BMS’ continued efforts to collaborate across the healthcare ecosystem, with the ultimate goal of reaching more patients and democratizing access to cell therapy.”
The FDA has also approved removal of the REMS requirement from each product label. A REMS program is often required to help mitigate known or potential risks associated with new drugs or therapies. The FDA has since determined that the established management guidelines and extensive experience of the medical hematology/oncology community are sufficient to diagnose and manage the risks of side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic toxicities (NTs), without a REMS for the class of CD19- and BCMA-directed autologous CAR T cell therapies. This change is likely to help further accelerate cell therapy into the community center setting.
Together, these label updates reflect the growing body of clinical and real-world evidence underpinning the favorable efficacy and safety profile of CAR T cell therapy. To date, more than 30,000 patients have been treated with a CAR T cell therapy, with recent studies, including an analysis BMS presented earlier this month at the ASCO Annual Meeting, showing that the vast majority of serious adverse events (CRS and NTs) occur within the first two weeks of infusion.
Following this announcement, BMS will work closely with the more than 150 treatment centers currently approved to administer Breyanzi and Abecma to remove the REMS programs. In parallel, BMS is focused on rapidly expanding the geographic footprint of cell therapy, with a renewed effort to add community cancer centers nationwide to administer Breyanzi and Abecma closer to patients, helping further reduce travel time and duration of stay away from home, family and work.
"Living with blood cancer is challenging, but patients and their loved ones still need to maintain jobs, take care of families, and plan for the future,” said Sally Werner, chief executive officer, Cancer Support Community. “Today’s announcement reduces some of the most onerous requirements that may have previously discouraged patients, particularly those who live far from a treatment center, from seeking the potentially transformational effects of cell therapy. We applaud any and all efforts to continue to break down barriers, reduce time burden on patients and caregivers, and increase uptake of this life-saving therapy."
As BMS continues to bring cell therapy to more patients, we are committed to working across the healthcare ecosystem to implement these label updates and continue to design and implement measurable programs to increase uptake and equitable access to cell therapy. For a list of programs and services currently offered to support patients through their BMS cell therapy journey, visit celltherapy360.com.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Unlocking the Full Potential of Cell Therapy
A pioneer in harnessing the immune system to fight cancer and an established leader in cell therapy, Bristol Myers Squibb is uniquely positioned to unlock the full potential of this technology across blood cancers and within new frontiers, including autoimmune disease.
Bristol Myers Squibb is currently the only company with two approved CAR T cell therapies with two distinct targets, available in major markets around the world. Our bold vision for the future is one in which hundreds of thousands of patients can be treated with cell therapy’s transformational potential.
The building blocks to realize this ambition—a promising and differentiated pipeline, extensive translational and clinical data sets, a deep bench of talent, and robust manufacturing capabilities—are in our cells. We are laser-focused on advancing the field of cell therapy toward a true revolution for patients. Learn more about the science behind cell therapy and ongoing progress at Bristol Myers Squibb here.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.