Canadian product monograph changes may provide patients greater flexibility following treatment
MONTREAL, June 17, 2026 /CNW/ - Bristol Myers Squibb Canada (BMS) is pleased to announce an update to the Canadian product monograph for BREYANZI® (lisocabtagene maraleucel), a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy, reducing the duration of certain post-treatment monitoring and activity restrictions for eligible patients following infusion.
The updated guidance includes a reduction in the recommended duration for patients to remain in close proximity to a specialized treatment centre from 28 days to 14 days following infusion, as well as a reduction in driving restrictions from eight weeks to four weeks. Clinical decisions regarding patient discharge and ongoing monitoring will continue to be determined by the treating healthcare professional based on individual patient needs.
The product monograph updates are supported by a growing body of evidence demonstrating that the risk of treatment-related adverse events decreases significantly after the first 14 days following infusion and are informed by safety data from seven clinical trials involving 691 patients, as well as real-world registry data from 877 patients treated with BREYANZI.
"Clinical experience with BREYANZI has continued to expand in both clinical trial and real-world settings, contributing to a deeper understanding of how patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas can be appropriately monitored following treatment," said Dr. Michael Kennah, a hematologist specializing in cellular therapies at The Ottawa Hospital. "CAR T cell therapy has transformed outcomes for many patients facing these aggressive lymphomas, and these updates reflect the growing body of evidence and clinical experience informing post-treatment patient management. The revised timelines may support greater flexibility during the post-treatment period and help lessen the logistical and emotional burden associated with care, while maintaining individualized oversight and patient safety."
The revised monitoring requirements create greater flexibility in follow-up care alleviating capacity pressures at specialized CAR T treatment centres by enabling appropriate patients to transition back to community-based care sooner.
"For patients and their families or caregivers already facing the emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis, the need to travel to receive CAR T cell therapy and remain close to a specialized treatment centre for extended periods can add another layer of stress, as well as logistical and financial strain during an already challenging time," said Antonella Rizza, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lymphoma Canada. "The potential for eligible patients to transition home sooner following treatment may help lessen these emotional and practical demands on Canadian patients and their caregivers."
BREYANZI is a personalized cell therapy made using a patient's own white blood cells. These cells are collected from the patient's blood and sent to a specialized facility, where they are reprogrammed to help recognize lymphoma cells. Once returned to the patient's body, the modified cells are designed to identify and attack lymphoma cells.1
"We believe innovation includes not only advancing transformational therapies but also supporting improvements in the overall treatment experience for patients, caregivers and healthcare teams," said Elaine Phillips, General Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. "These updates reflect the growing experience with BREYANZI and represent continued progress in how CAR T cell therapy may be delivered and experienced by patients in Canada and reinforce our ongoing commitment to advancing the science of cellular therapy to support patients across lymphomas and other hematologic malignancies."
BREYANZI is approved in Canada for certain adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas, including second-line use in eligible patients whose disease is refractory to or relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.1
For complete prescribing and safety information for BREYANZI, please consult the Canadian product monograph here.
About Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co.
Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs close to 170 people across the country. For more information, please visit https://www.bms.com/ca/en.
About Bristol Myers Squibb: Transforming Patients' Lives Through Science At Bristol Myers Squibb, our mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. We are pursuing bold science to define what's possible for the future of medicine and the patients we serve. For more information, visit us at BMS.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
BREYANZI is a registered trademark of Juno Therapeutics, Inc., used under license by Bristol Myers Squibb Canada.
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- BREYANZI® (lisocabtagene maraleucel) Product Monograph. Available at: https://www.bms.com/assets/bms/ca/documents/productmonograph/BREYANZI_EN_PM.pdf
SOURCE Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada
For media requests please contact: Daphne Weatherby, Corporate Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada, [email protected]
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