Myeloma Support Group Leader Jack Aiello and Global Finance and Strategy Leader Sanjay Singh Elected to IMF Board of Directors

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) today welcomed two of its newest Board Members: Myeloma Support Group Leader and 28-year myeloma survivor Jack Aiello, and Global Finance and Strategy Leader and 2-year myeloma survivor Sanjay Singh. The IMF is excited and grateful that these two dynamic leaders have joined the Board of Directors. To learn more about the IMF’s newest board members, read the full press release.

IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Participate in the 2023 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), in partnership with the National Medical Association (NMA), the W. Montague Cobb Institute, and the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), sent a delegation of twelve IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma to the 2023 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly, which takes place in New Orleans, LA from July 29-August 2, 2023. The twelve IMF Medical Student Scholars, along with their mentors, will share their research during a poster walk on Monday, July 31, following the Jane Cooke Wright Symposium.

The IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program was launched in 2023 in partnership with the National Medical Association (NMA) and the W. Montague Cobb Institute. The mentorship program complements the IMF’s M-Power initiative by helping build interest and expertise in myeloma among students from the African American community and by increasing their career interest in myeloma and in health disparities. Ultimately, the program’s goal is to increase the pool of providers from the African American community in the care of patients. This inaugural year of the program has elicited much enthusiasm and the IMF looks to continue and expand this program in the coming years. The IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program is made possible through support from Janssen and Pfizer. To learn more about the program, visit mpower.myeloma.org.

Co-pay Assistance Programs Accepting Applications Now!

Myeloma patients on Medicare: The HealthWell Foundation has opened a fund to help with co-pays/premiums. The maximum award level is $12,000, covering various treatments. Check eligibility and apply now. 

The Patient Advocate Foundation Medical Insurance Premium Assistance Co-Pay Relief Fund is open. Don't miss out on support for co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, and medical insurance premiums. Apply Now.

Visit the IMF Financial Resources to view a comprehensive list of programs that provide financial assistance.

Janssen Announces CHMP's Recommendations for TALVEY® (talquetamab) and TECVAYLI® (teclistamab) for the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson recently announced that “the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended conditional marketing authorization (CMA) for TALVEY® (talquetamab) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. Talquetamab is a subcutaneous bispecific antibody that binds G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member D (GPRC5D), a novel target on multiple myeloma cells, and CD3, on T-cells.”

The CHMP also recommended "the approval of a Type II variation for teclistamab, providing a reduced, biweekly dosing schedule of 1.5mg/kg every other week in patients who have achieved a complete response or better for six months or longer. Teclistamab is the first bispecific antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on myeloma cells, and CD3 on T-cells to be licensed in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have had at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy."

Register Now for the In-Person 2023 Patient and Family Seminar in Los Angeles in August

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that an in-person Patient and Family Seminar will take place from August 18-19 at Sofitel Los Angeles (8555 Beverly Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA. IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, along with IMF President & CEO Yelak Biru and IMF Vice President of Support Groups Robin Tuohy will join the following expert myeloma speakers: Rafat Abonour, MD (University of Indiana—Indianapolis, IN); IMF NLB Board Member Donna D. Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN, CCRC (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai —New York, NY); Ajai Chari, MD (The Mount Sinai Hospital—New York, NY); Noopur S. Raje, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital—Boston, MA); Daryl Tan, MBBS, M Med, MRCP, FAMS (Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital—Singapore); and Robert A. Vescio, MD (Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute—Los Angeles, CA). The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is limited.

Register for the In-Person IMF Regional Community Workshop in Denver

The in-person IMF Regional Community Workshop will take place on Saturday, August 12, at the Clements Community Center—Lakewood Room (1580 Yarrow Street) in Lakewood, CO. IMF Senior Director of Regional Community Workshops Kelly Cox will welcome attendees along with speakers, Jeff Matous, MD, (Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center—Denver, CO); Craig Cole, MD, (Karmanos Cancer Institute, Michigan State University—Lansing, MI); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Tiffany Richards, PhD, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma—Houston, Texas); and Denver-based myeloma patient Carol Smith and her care partner Stan Smith. The workshop will include an introduction to myeloma, upfront treatments at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, relapse information, an update on clinical trials, and more. Register today before slots get filled up.

Now Accepting Applications: The 2024 Brian D. Novis Research Grants

The Brian D. Novis Research Grant was established in 1995 to honor IMF co-founder Brian D. Novis, who succumbed to multiple myeloma in July 1992. The grants are awarded to researchers working in the field of multiple myeloma and related disorders, including smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis. The grants will support senior research projects with $80,000 each and junior research projects with $50,000 each. Deadline for submission of applications is August 28, 2023.

Watch Myeloma Made Simple: Drug Classes Made Simple

In this next episode of Myeloma Made Simple, IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael simplifies the complexities of drug classes for myeloma patients. Join Dr. Mikhael and learn about the mechanisms, benefits, and risks of alkylators, proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and more. Stay informed and empower yourself!