The American Society of Hematology meeting closed yesterday and served to shine the light on the latest research and progress of new therapies targeting hematological malignancies as well as other serious blood disorders. Specifically, a great deal of attention was focused on the treatment of blood cancers and, judging by the increase in value of the BioWorld Cancer index, investors and analysts alike were impressed with what they heard.

HONG KONG – Rapt Therapeutics Inc., of San Francisco, and Seoul, South Korea-based Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. entered a license agreement for Rapt’s FLX-475 in Asia. FLX-475 is an oral, small-molecule CCR4 antagonist for cancer treatment. 

ORLANDO, Fla. – As the enormous American Society of Hematology annual meeting wound down Tuesday, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. of Johnson & Johnson released phase III data showing that adding Darzalex (daratumumab) to carfilzomib (Kyprolis from Amgen Inc.) and dexamethasone (DKd), compared to carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd) alone, significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.