J&J, Legend to invest $150M in Belgium cell therapy facility as new Carvykti rival looms

J&J and Legend Biotech's $150M Investment in Belgium Cell Therapy Facility

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Legend Biotech are investing $150 million in a cell therapy facility in Belgium4 5.
The investment aims to expand production capacity for their CAR-T therapy, Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel)5 6.
Carvykti is approved for treating multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior line of therapy3.

Investment Details:

The $150 million will be used to expand Legend's Tech Lane facility in Belgium5.
This expansion is part of J&J and Legend's efforts to meet their long-stated capacity goal for Carvykti by 20254.
The investment is expected to double Carvykti production capacity5.

Market Context:

The expansion comes as demand for Carvykti has been strong, with the therapy facing supply constraints1 6.
J&J and Legend are working to address manufacturing challenges, including a global shortage of viral vectors used in cell and gene therapies1.
The companies have also partnered with Novartis for additional manufacturing support, specifically for clinical trial supply outside of China1.

Clinical Developments:

Recent Phase III trial results (CARTITUDE-4) showed significant improvement in overall survival for multiple myeloma patients treated with Carvykti in the second-line setting3.
Carvykti has become the first cell therapy to demonstrate significant overall survival improvement versus standard of care as early as the second line of treatment3.

Competitive Landscape:

The investment comes as new rivals in the CAR-T therapy space for multiple myeloma are emerging, potentially intensifying competition in the market4 6.

This significant investment by J&J and Legend Biotech underscores their commitment to expanding Carvykti production capacity, addressing supply constraints, and maintaining their competitive edge in the rapidly evolving CAR-T therapy landscape for multiple myeloma treatment.