Belantamab mafodotin (Blenrep), bortezomib, dexamethasone: Indication: Belantamab mafodotin is indicated in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least 1 prior line of therapy: Reimbursement Recommendation

What is the reimbursement recommendation for blenrep?Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) recommends that Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least 1 prior line of therapy, if certain conditions are met. WHICH PATIENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE? Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone should only be covered to treat adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who are in relatively good health and have already tried at least 1 other treatment for this disease. Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone should not be reimbursed in patients who were previously treated with an anti-BCMA therapy, patients who have experienced intolerance to bortezomib, or patients whose disease is refractory to bortezomib. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR REIMBURSEMENT? Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone should only be reimbursed if it is prescribed under the care of clinicians with expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with multiple myeloma, and if the cost of Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone is reduced. WHY DID CDA-AMC MAKE THIS RECOMMENDATION? • Evidence from a clinical trial demonstrated that Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone may delay disease progression and prolong life in adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, compared to daratumumab in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd). • Blenrep meets some patient needs, as it is an alternative treatment option that may offer benefits in delaying progression of disease and improved survival compared to DVd. • Based on the CDA-AMC assessment of the health economic evidence, Blenrep does not represent good value to the health care system at the public list price. A price reduction is therefore required. • Based on public list prices, Blenrep is estimated to cost the public drug plans approximately $940 million over the next 3 years. However, the actual budget impact is uncertain and will depend on several factors, including real-world dosing patterns, the extent of uptake across jurisdictions, and the distribution of subsequent therapies in the treatment pathway.Additional informationWHAT IS MULTIPLE MYELOMA? Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells (the white blood cells that make immunoglobulins) in the bone marrow. In 2024, it was estimated that 4,100 people in Canada had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. UNMET NEEDS IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA: Multiple myeloma is an incurable disease, and patients commonly experience relapse or their disease eventually becomes refractory to treatment. There is a need for additional effective therapies that can prolong survival, delay disease progression, and improve quality of life (QoL). HOW MUCH DOES BLENREP COST? Treatment with Blenrep in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone is expected to cost approximately $77,656 per 28 days per patient in the first cycle, and $74,133 per 28 days per patient in subsequent cycles.