CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Blackstone Life Sciences has entered into a research and development funding agreement with Johnson & Johnson to support the clinical development of bleximenib, an investigational oral therapy for acute myeloid leukemia, the companies said.
Under the agreement, Johnson & Johnson and funds managed by Blackstone Life Sciences will jointly finance a portion of ongoing and future clinical trials evaluating bleximenib in patients with AML. The deal marks the first co-funding collaboration between Blackstone Life Sciences and Johnson & Johnson.
Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults and remains one of the most difficult blood cancers to treat, with high relapse rates and the lowest survival outcomes among leukemia types. The companies said the agreement is intended to help accelerate development of new treatment options for patients with the disease.
“We believe that bleximenib’s promising clinical data, combined with Johnson & Johnson’s deep expertise in hematologic malignancies, create a strong foundation to address critical gaps in patient care,” said Dr. Nicholas Galakatos, global head of Blackstone Life Sciences. “We are excited by this agreement with Johnson & Johnson, furthering our network of global leaders to accelerate innovation across the life sciences sector.”
Dr. Ari Brettman, senior managing director at Blackstone Life Sciences, said the partnership reflects the urgency of improving treatment options for AML patients. “As an aggressive, fast-progressing blood cancer with high relapse rates, there is an urgent need for better, more tolerable treatment options for patients living with AML,” he said. “Our mission is to help leaders like Johnson & Johnson advance the promise of innovative medicines like bleximenib and bring them to patients across the globe.”
Bleximenib, also known as JNJ-75276617, is an investigational oral menin inhibitor being studied in patients with newly diagnosed as well as relapsed or refractory AML. The drug targets a key interaction between menin and KMT2A proteins, disrupting a pathway involved in leukemic cell growth in patients with KMT2A gene rearrangements or NPM1 gene mutations.
The therapy is currently being evaluated in Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 clinical trials, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with other AML therapies, to assess its potential across different stages of the disease.
AML progresses rapidly and, without prompt treatment, can be fatal within months. Outcomes are particularly poor for older patients and those with high-risk genetic features, underscoring the need for continued investment in new and more effective therapies.
