It has been 8 years since the first CAR-T product was launched. The sales trend of CAR-T therapeutic products has gradually slowed down after an early rapid rise. By 2024, some products showed a downward trend, but more of them still showed an upward trend, especially BMS's Breyanzi, which increased by 105% year-over-year.
Overall, the sales of CAR-T therapeutic products are still somewhat below expectations.
2023 marked the 8th year since Kymriah was launched, and also the 3rd year of continuous sales decline.
After reaching a peak annual sales of $587 million in 2021, Kymriah started to decline steadily. In 2022, its sales were $536 million, in 2023 it was $508 million (down 5.2% year-over-year), and in 2024 it was $443 million (down 13% year-over-year).
According to Novartis' 2024 financial report, Kymriah's sales in regions outside the US declined in the fourth quarter, but this was partially offset by strong performance in pediatric business and young adult patients under 25 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pALL), as well as by the sales growth of the follicular lymphoma (FL) indication in markets outside the US.
Yescarta was first approved by the US FDA on October 18, 2017, for the treatment of adult patients with LBCL in the third-line and above. On April 1, 2022, Yescarta was approved for second-line treatment of adult patients with LBCL.
Compared to 2023, Yescarta's total sales in 2024 grew by 5%, reaching $1.57 billion. This was mainly due to increased demand outside the US and a rise in average realized prices, partially offset by a decline in demand in the US.
On July 24, 2020, Gilead/Kite's CD19 CAR-T therapy Tecartus was approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (r/r MCL), becoming the third CD19 CAR-T product to be launched. On September 6, 2022, Tecartus was approved by the EU for R/R ALL.
Compared to 2023, Tecartus' total sales in 2024 grew by 9%, reaching $403 million, driven mainly by increased demand outside the US, partially offset by decreased demand in the US.
Breyanzi is the fourth CD19 CAR-T product approved by the FDA, first approved in February 2021 for the treatment of third-line LBCL.
In 2024, Breyanzi achieved sales of $747 million, a 105% increase year-over-year. According to BMS's 2024 financial report, Breyanzi was one of the key drivers of revenue growth for BMS's portfolio.
Abecma is BMS's second CAR-T product and the first FDA-approved BCMA CAR-T therapy. Abecma was approved by the US FDA on March 26, 2021, for the treatment of fourth-line multiple myeloma.
Abecma's total sales in 2024 were $406 million, a decrease of approximately 14% year-over-year. Abecma's sales continued the downward trend seen in 2023.
Although Abecma, as the first BCMA CAR-T product to launch, had the market first-mover advantage, the FDA delayed its decision on frontline MM treatment, and it was approved on the same day as its competitor (Carvykti), resulting in a level playing field. With the market competition from Carvykti, Abecma faces increasing sales pressure.
The BCMA CAR-T star product Carvykti was first approved by the FDA on February 28, 2022, for the treatment of fourth-line R/R MM.
Carvykti's sales in 2024 were $963 million, a 92.7% increase year-over-year.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved Carvykti for launch in August 2024.
In November 2024, the US FDA approved Autolus Therapeutics' CD19 CAR-T cell product Aucatzyl for the treatment of relapsed/refractory adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r B-ALL) patients.
However, due to its late launch, Aucatzyl did not have any sales data disclosed in 2025. According to reports from Autolus, it is expected that by the end of January 2025, 30 treatment centers will be authorized, covering about 60% of the identified target patient population. By the end of 2025, authorization will be completed for 60 treatment centers, covering about 90% of the target patient population.
