Novartis and BMS pause CAR T trials; Revolution Medicines wins pancreatic cancer approval

Novartis paused several CAR T trials after three patient deaths, while Bristol Myers Squibb halted others due to separate safety signals. Revolution Medicines received early FDA approval for a pancreatic cancer drug, and nine mid-sized biopharma companies joined the Most Favored Nation pricing scheme.

The CAR T trial pauses at Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb stem from distinct safety concerns, with three patient deaths reported across Novartis studies. Separately, Revolution Medicines' Rasonque received accelerated FDA approval for pancreatic cancer, and analysts suggest the therapy could also prove effective in non-small cell lung cancer, potentially broadening its clinical utility.

The FDA also cleared Ionis' Zanvastro as the first targeted therapy for Alexander disease, marking the company's initial independent neurology launch. Meanwhile, Summit and Akeso's ivonescimab again outperformed Merck's Keytruda in a Chinese Phase 3 lung cancer trial, though confirmatory data in non-Chinese patients remains necessary. Nine mid-sized biopharma firms also joined the Most Favored Nation pricing scheme.