Bristol Myers Squibb's Zola-cel Shows Disability Stability in Multiple Sclerosis Phase 1 Trial

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) reported interim Phase 1 Breakfree-2 results for its investigational CAR T-cell therapy zolacabtagene autoleucel (zola-cel) in 66 patients with highly active relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis. All 60 patients treated at the second dose level remained off disease-modifying therapies at latest follow-up. Among evaluable patients, 92% with progressive MS showed stable or improved disability, and all 24 had no new MRI activity. Safety findings included cytokine release syndrome in 42.4% of patients and neurotoxicity in 7.6%; one fatal case of septic pneumonia was reported after the data cutoff. BMY shares were trading at $61.56, down 2.26%.