GSK announced that its antibody‑drug conjugate Blenrep has been approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior line of therapy, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. The approval, granted on April 20 2026, expands Blenrep’s commercial footprint into China, the world’s second‑largest pharmaceutical market, and adds a significant revenue opportunity to GSK’s oncology portfolio.
The approval follows Blenrep’s U.S. launch and earlier approvals in other regions, reinforcing GSK’s strategy to grow its oncology pipeline and diversify beyond its core HIV franchise. By entering China, GSK positions itself to capture a growing patient base in a market where the incidence of multiple myeloma has doubled to roughly 30,000 new cases annually and mortality has risen 50% over the past three decades.
The decision is backed by the DREAMM‑7 Phase III trial, which demonstrated a 42% reduction in the risk of death and nearly tripled median progression‑free survival compared with a daratumumab‑based triplet. The trial also showed statistically significant overall survival benefits, underscoring the drug’s clinical value in this patient population.
Blenrep is the only anti‑BCMA antibody‑drug conjugate approved for multiple myeloma, offering a differentiated mechanism of action. Its fully outpatient administration eliminates the need for complex pre‑administration regimens or hospitalization, potentially reducing treatment burden for patients and health‑care systems.
GSK’s oncology head, Hesham Abdullah, highlighted that Blenrep’s effectiveness and outpatient convenience make it a valuable addition to the treatment landscape in China, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding its oncology pipeline and reducing reliance on its aging HIV franchise.
The approval follows Blenrep’s earlier U.S. journey, which began with FDA approval in 2020, withdrawal in 2023 after a failed confirmatory trial, and re‑approval in October 2025 for patients with at least two prior lines of therapy. The Chinese approval marks a significant milestone in the drug’s comeback narrative and expands its geographic reach.
Market reaction to the approval was muted, reflecting that the event was largely anticipated and that investors are mindful of the drug’s prior U.S. withdrawal and the competitive multiple myeloma landscape.
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