MMRF Accelerator Magazine Summer 2015 Edition | Page 2

A letter from Walter M. Capone Dear Supporter, The treatment of myeloma has seen some of the most significant advances of any cancer in the last decade. Despite these advances it is still a devastating disease. Now more than ever it is absolutely essential that we band together to fight this disease and identify new treatment options in our drive to a cure for patients. 2015 has been an important year in the fight against multiple myeloma. Numerous clinical trials are launching to study drugs for patients who had few or no treatment options available, and the myeloma community at large — researchers, industry, academia — is coming together like never before. Together with our partners we are accelerating breakthroughs for patients thanks to your efforts and support of the MMRF. The MMRF has re-engineered the disease research and drug development model to integrate data and partnerships to inject speed and efficiency into the process with the ultimate goal of accelerating a cure. Through this model, seven new treatments have been launched for patients in the last 10 years. These treatments have almost tripled patients’ life span. You can learn more about our model in the article on page 4. We are on track to launch 11 new clinical trials this year to rapidly advance lifesaving treatments to patients who are most in need. Thus far, we have launched three company-sponsored trials of completely novel, innovative drug programs: a Phase 2 clinical trial of selinexor with Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc., a Phase 2 trial to test Janssen Biotech, Inc.’s daratumumab in smoldering multiple myeloma patients, and a Phase 1 study of Genentech’s immune checkpoint inhibitor, MPDL3280A. Read more about clinical trials we have launched on page 8. It is the support and funding of our donors and partners that will help us launch the remaining eight trials we have planned for 2015. Please take a moment to fill the envelope in our summer fundraising insert. With your help, we are curing cancer now. On behalf of all of us at the MMRF, we thank you for your continued contributions that enable it to happen. Sincerely, Walter M. Capone President and Chief Executive Officer, MMRF