Novartis
NVS
announced that the phase III BELINDA study evaluating Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) in second-line non-Hodgkin lymphoma (“NHL”) fails to meet its primary endpoint of event-free survival (“EFS”) compared to treatment with the standard-of-care (“SOC”).
The BELINDA study compared the efficacy, safety and tolerability between Kymriah and SOC in patients with aggressive B-cell NHL who had primary refractory disease or those who relapsed within 12 months of first-line treatment.
Shares of the company have declined 0.7% so far this year against the
industry
’s 19% surge.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Per the study, EFS is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of the first documented disease progression or stable disease at or after the week 12 assessment, per blinded independent review committee, or death at any time.
Novartis will complete a full evaluation of the BELINDA study data and work alongside the study investigators for the same.
Kymriah is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy. It is currently approved in the United States for the treatment of patients up to 25 years of age with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia that is refractory or in second or later relapse. The therapy is also approved for the treatment of elapsed or refractory adult diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (“DLBCL”). Kymriah is also the first approved CAR-T therapy.
Gilead
’s
GILD
CAR-T therapy, Yescarta, is approved for the treatment of refractory aggressive NHL, which includes DLBCL, transformed follicular lymphoma and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the same sector are
Horizon Therapeutics
HZNP
and
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
REGN
, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see
the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here
.
Horizon’s earnings per share estimates for 2021 have increased from $3.62 to $4.46 in the past 30 days. The same for 2022 has risen from $5.18 to $5.84 over the same period. The stock has rallied 47.6% in the year so far.
Regeneron’s earnings per share estimates for 2021 have increased from $49.96 to $54.15 in the past 30 days. The same for 2022 has risen from $40.91 to $44.11 over the same period. The stock has rallied 38.1% in the year so far.
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