Pharma RSS Digest - 2026-06-15
Overview
The pharma news cycle on June 15, 2026 was dominated by hematology data from the EHA 2026 Congress. Two late-breaking Phase 3 datasets captured most of the attention: Menarini Group's selinexor-ruxolitinib combination in myelofibrosis delivered a statistically significant spleen volume reduction but missed a key symptom endpoint, while Janssen/Genmab's TALVEY-DARZALEX FASPRO pairing in multiple myeloma showed striking progression-free survival improvements. The signal breadth was narrow, coming exclusively from PR Newswire Health and conference-related announcements rather than broader sector or regulatory developments. Market participants noted the absence of major regulatory or commercial catalysts, with the day's news flow concentrated in discovery-oriented conference presentations.
Key Developments
Menarini Group's selinexor-ruxolitinib combination met the primary spleen reduction endpoint in the Phase 3 SENTRY trial but fell short on symptom improvement. The trial enrolled 353 frontline myelofibrosis patients, with the combination arm achieving a 49.8% spleen volume reduction at week 24 versus 28% for ruxolitinib monotherapy. However, both arms showed similar symptom relief of approximately 10 points, missing the co-primary symptom endpoint. An early survival signal emerged with a 57% reduction in death risk, though the data remain immature. The combination demonstrated a manageable safety profile with no new signals. Results support continued development and potential regulatory submission, though investors will watch for longer follow-up data to confirm the survival benefit and regulatory filing timelines.
Menarini Group clinical trial update
Janssen and Genmab's bispecific combination of TALVEY and DARZALEX FASPRO showed substantial progression-free survival improvement in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The Phase 3 MonumenTAL-3 trial enrolled 864 patients and showed a 72% reduction in progression risk compared to standard daratumumab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone at 24.6-month median follow-up. Overall response rates exceeded 88%, with MRD-negative complete remission reaching 52%. Notably, the Tal-D arm showed lower Grade 3/4 infection rates than the control arm, addressing a key safety concern with bispecific-based regimens. Results were presented at EHA and published in NEJM. Watch for regulatory submissions to reinforce TALVEY's accelerated approval and potential label expansion for DARZALEX FASPRO, along with long-term safety monitoring.
Watchlist
- Kos Biotechnology Partners completed a third close of its inaugural life sciences fund at $123 million, the largest VC launch in Greek history and the country's first life sciences-dedicated investment fund. The firm has backed Epikast and a San Francisco-based biotech (name to be announced) and plans additional investments through 2026. [link]
- Eli Lilly released Phase 1 data for AJ1-11095, a first-in-class type II JAK2 inhibitor, showing 70% spleen reduction and 70% symptom improvement in 23 myelofibrosis patients who had failed prior type I JAK2 inhibitor therapy. The drug, acquired from Ajax Therapeutics, demonstrated no dose-limiting toxicities with 78% of patients remaining on study. Lilly is conducting expansion cohort studies in second-line myelofibrosis and plans to explore the drug in polycythemia vera and first-line settings. [link]