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International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) to hold AMN Awards Ceremony at the 8th AMN Summit in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday, October 19SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) announced that it will be holding the Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) awards ceremony on Saturday, October 19, during the 8th Annual AMN Summit in Seoul, South Korea from October 17-20, 2024. This year’s 8th Annual AMN Summit will be Asia’s largest gathering ever of myeloma specialists, along with patients and caregivers. The Asian Myeloma Network Distinguished Service Award was conceived to recognize and honor the lifelong achievements of deserving AMN myeloma specialists, who have made a considerable impact in the field of myeloma research, clinical trials, and patient support. This year’s AMN Distinguished Service Awardee is Dr. Wenming Chen — chief physician, professor, and doctoral supervisor. Dr. Chen is the Director of the Department of Hematology in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital; the Department of Hematology in Capital Medical University; and the Multiple Myeloma Research Center of Beijing. He leads the Beijing branch of the National Clinic Research Center for Hematologic Diseases and heads the Myeloma Talent Team of Beijing Hospital Administration. Dr. Chen is the Chairman of the Hematology Committee, Hematology Youth Committee, and the Hematology Laboratory Diagnosis Committee of the Chinese Medical Association. Other positions that Dr. Chen currently holds are the following: Vice President, Beijing Association for the Promotion of Popular Health; Vice-Chairman of the Myeloma Committee, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology; Deputy Leader of the Myeloma Committee, Hematology Committee of Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Chinese Auto-Stem Cell Transplantation. Dr. Chen is also an executive member of the Chinese Immunological Society, the Hematological Oncology Committee of China Anti-Cancer Center Association; a member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and an executive member of the Asian Myeloma Network (AMN). He has received more than ten grants, including major national science and technology projects, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing. Dr. Chen has published over 300 academic papers and has written more than ten books related to multiple myeloma. He is also chief editor of six books, and co-editor of five textbooks. In 2007, Dr. Chen cooperated with the IMF and held the first academic forum on multiple myeloma in Beijing, China. In 2009, the IMF signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with China in Beijing. “The IMF is thrilled to congratulate Dr. Chen on receiving the prestigious AMN Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Chen's exceptional contributions to the field of myeloma research, clinical trials, and patient support make him a truly deserving recipient,” said IMF President & CEO and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru. “As a founding member of the AMN, Dr. Chen's tireless efforts to promote myeloma treatment throughout Asia and to train young Chinese hematologists have been invaluable. His expertise and dedication have significantly advanced the region's understanding and treatment of myeloma.” “We are honored to have Dr. Wenming Chen as part of the IMF community and look forward to celebrating his achievements at the 8th Annual AMN Summit in Seoul,” he further expressed. "As this year's AMN Distinguished Awardee and as one of the AMN's founding members, the IMF recognizes Dr. Wenming Chen's notable contributions to myeloma research, clinical trials, and treatments. We applaud his zealousness in educating and training aspiring hematologists in China. This prestigious recognition is truly well-deserved, and the global myeloma community collectively celebrates Dr. Chen's achievements and hard work in the field of myeloma," said IMF Chairperson of the Board Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar, who will be presenting the prestigious award to Dr. Chen on the evening of the AMN awards ceremony. "A founding member of the AMN, Dr. Chen has worked tirelessly to promote myeloma treatment throughout Asia and to enhance the training of young Chinese hematologists. He richly deserves this international recognition,” said IMF Vice President Senior Vice President of Global Affairs Daniel Navid. According to IMF SVP Navid, “the Asian Myeloma Network's Executive Committee launched the AMN Distinguished Service Award in 2023 to recognize important contributions in scientific research and myeloma treatment in Asia.” "The AMN Distinguished Service Award is an important milestone in the continued development of this important regional initiative. The AMN’s body of work—including clinical trials, basic myeloma research, physician training, and patient support—is becoming increasingly recognized. The AMN Distinguished Service Award provides a spotlight to honor leading Asian myeloma specialists,” said Mr. Navid. The AMN Distinguished Service Awarding Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 19, with IMF Chairperson of the Board Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar presenting the award to Dr. Chen. Other speakers at the award ceremony include Prof. Jin Lu (Peking University People's Hospital — Beijing, China), and Dr. Wen Gao (Beijing Chaoyang Hospital — Beijing, China). To learn more about the Asian Myeloma Network and its annual summit and programs, visit myeloma.org. ABOUT MULTIPLE MYELOMA Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells — white blood cells that make antibodies. A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called “multiple” because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone where it grows. It often involves damage to bone and kidneys. Multiple myeloma is still incurable, but great progress has been made in terms of survival over the last two decades. The disease is twice as common and is diagnosed at a younger age in African Americans than white Americans. The most common presenting symptoms include fatigue and bone pain. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest global foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The Foundation's reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. The IMF has conducted more than 250 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned InfoLine, and in 2001, established the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), a collaborative research initiative focused on improving myeloma treatment options for patients. In 2012, the IMF launched the Black Swan Research Initiative®, a groundbreaking research project aimed at curing myeloma. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is www.myeloma.org. Follow the IMF on: X (Twitter): @IMFmyelomaInstagram: @imfmyelomaFacebook: @myelomaLinkedIn: International Myeloma Foundation Media Contacts: Peter AntonPanton@myeloma.org Jason LondonJlondon@myeloma.org

Findings reinforce the value of the MMRF’s integrated clinical and translational research expertise to provide a deeper understanding of multiple myeloma and improve how the disease is treated The MMRF CoMMpass SM Study was cited in 17 abstracts, highlighting how MMRF-led collaborations yield important insights that drive progress in patient care Data on the MMRF’s educational programs showcase how its programs positively impact patient engagement and empowerment to improve outcomes NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced today new data from two posters and two oral presentations to be shared at the 21 st International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting, being held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, September 25-28, 2024. “Since its inception, the MMRF has been powering research and fueling breakthroughs and discoveries that enable us to improve how we treat multiple myeloma,” said George Mulligan, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the MMRF. “The breadth of our data shared at the IMS meeting reinforce the value of our integrated clinical and translational capabilities. Our unbiased, patient-centric approach allows us to focus on the most important research to improve patient survival. We are pleased that two MMRF abstracts have been selected for presentation in the 2 nd abstract session on Wednesday and will be described by MMRF’s Senior Scientist, Dr. Chaitanya ‘Chuck’ Acharya.” Data presented by the MMRF highlights recent progress in our decades of work to improve outcomes and ultimately cure multiple myeloma. The first talk by Dr. Acharya will describe immune data from 263 patients enrolled in the MMRF CoMMpass SM Study, highlighting features of immune malfunction in newly diagnosed myeloma. This highly collaborative multi-center project, called an “Immune Atlas” of myeloma, provides unique insights into disease development and treatment outcomes. The other oral presentation provides an update on the MMRF’s MyDRUG SM clinical trial. In this innovative precision medicine trial, the MMRF partnered with eight different biopharma companies to test targeted therapies in specific, tumor mutation-defined groups of patients. Research on associated patient bone marrow samples revealed the effects of the drug on both the tumor and immune cells. Together these presentations highlight the MMRF’s unique leadership across important, highly collaborative research studies that bridge clinical and translational specialties. Other scientific data being shared include: An analysis exploring the potential of blood tests to serve as a less invasive method than the traditional bone marrow biopsy to monitor immune changes to treatment, and for discovering new, more practical biomarkers to understand a patient’s outcome An analysis of longitudinal follow-up with patients who participated in MMRF educational programs, showing high rates of empowerment and improved communication with their healthcare team Data from the MMRF CoMMpass Study, the largest and most complete clinical and molecular dataset in multiple myeloma, are cited in a total of 17 abstracts, reinforcing the enduring value of this real-world translational study for the global research community. With over 1,100 patients across 76 clinical sites, CoMMpass is the most influential and impactful study ever done to advance our understanding of myeloma disease biology. MMRF Oral Presentation Details Title : A single-cell atlas of bone marrow immune microenvironment characterizes dysregulation associated with multiple myeloma outcomes Date & Time : September 25, 2024, 11:30 a.m. BRT (Abstract Session 2) Presenter : Chaitanya Acharya, Ph.D., PSM, Senior Scientist, Translational Research, MMRF Title : Single-cell analyses of bone marrow immune microenvironment in RRMM subjects treated with MEK1/2 inhibitors reveal IRF1-mediated IFN/PDL1 signaling axes Date & Time : September 25, 2024, 12:18 p.m. BRT (Abstract Session 2) Presenter : Chaitanya Acharya, Ph.D., PSM, Senior Scientist, Translational Research, MMRF MMRF Poster Details Title : T-cell receptor repertoire analysis of blood and bone marrow samples from multiple myeloma patients Date & Time : September 25, 2024, 12:30 p.m. BRT Presenter : Chaitanya Acharya, Ph.D., PSM, Senior Scientist, Translational Research, MMRF Title : Empowering multiple myeloma patients impact of MMRF ® education programs and results of patient outcomes Date & Time : September 27, 2024, 12:00 p.m. BRT Presenter: Anne Quinn Young, MPH, Chief Mission Officer, MMRF About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that develops in bone marrow. It is the second most common blood cancer in the U.S., with 35,750 new cases and 12,590 deaths estimated to occur this year. New targeted agents and therapies have resulted in better outcomes, but most multiple myeloma patients eventually relapse. About CoMMpass SM The MMRF CoMMpass SM Study is a collaboration with 76 clinical centers and 1,100 patients with active multiple myeloma, who enrolled at diagnosis and were followed for at least eight years. The study maps patients’ tumor genomic pro clinical outcomes with the goal of developing a more complete understanding of both disease biology and the patient’s response to treatments. With its inclusion in more than 200 published or presented studies, CoMMpass represents the largest longitudinal genomic dataset in multiple myeloma and has led to groundbreaking discoveries that have transformed how researchers understand the biology of the disease. The MMRF continues to support the use of this resource and makes the CoMMpass data available to other researchers globally. About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. We drive the development and delivery of next-generation therapies, leverage data to identify optimal and more personalized treatment approaches, and empower myeloma patients and the broader community with information and resources to extend their lives. Central to our mission is our commitment to advancing health equity so that all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has raised over $600 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. To learn more, visit . Media Contact: Adam Silverstein Scient PR adam@scientpr.com

This MMRF-led collaborative initiative is the largest single sequencing study of multiple myeloma patients to dateCoMMpass findings provide an unprecedented, clearer definition of patients at highest risk of rapid disease progression and identification of actionable therapeutic targetsData demonstrate that patients often transition to a high-risk subtype at progression NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced today a new publication on the CoMMpassSM study in Nature Genetics that defines distinct subtypes and identifies high-risk genetic markers of multiple myeloma. These CoMMpass data represent the largest and most complete clinical and molecular dataset in multiple myeloma. “Despite efforts to understand the molecular basis of multiple myeloma, predicting patient outcomes and identifying high-risk patients has remained a challenge,” said Sagar Lonial, M.D., FACP, lead author and Chief Medical Officer at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Professor and Chair, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. “This research is another example of how CoMMpass – by offering an unparalleled genomic map of multiple myeloma – answers key questions about the disease and enables us to improve how we treat patients.” The CoMMpass study united 76 clinical sites across four countries, enrolling 1,143 multiple myeloma patients and studying them for at least eight years after diagnosis. CoMMpass is one of few studies to enroll patients that reflect the United States population, with a self-reported ancestry of 80.6% Caucasian and 17.5% Black; this enables important research into causes of the significantly increased incidence of myeloma in the Black community. "We recognized the critical need for comprehensive longitudinal data to truly understand the natural history of multiple myeloma, especially in a real-world setting where such data is scarce,” said Michael Andreini, President and CEO of MMRF. “As an organization that’s spent more than 25 years fiercely committed to changing the trajectory of multiple myeloma, we were the only ones positioned to build a truly collaborative initiative that could unite the multiple myeloma community and deliver the scale necessary to produce these types of scientific findings. We’re grateful to the clinical investigators at all the sites, and especially the patients who helped us accelerate this important research.” The collaborative research, led by investigators from MMRF, Emory University, and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), comprehensively describes the subtypes of multiple myeloma, identifying a high-risk patient population that is associated with a median survival of less than two years versus the average survival rate that exceeds eight years. Of those with additional genomic data at disease progression, just over 25% transitioned to a rapid growth high-risk category and then had worse outcomes, with a median survival of only 88 days. “The data show that advanced molecular diagnostics, using whole genome and RNA sequencing, were found to be better predictors of disease behavior than current staging systems,” said Jonathan Keats, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Director of Bioinformatics and Collaborative Sequencing Center at TGen, and a senior author on the paper. “With a better understanding of the primary molecular features driving different subtypes of multiple myeloma and the identification of high-risk patients at both diagnosis and progression, we have an understanding of targets and pathways that will inform efforts to optimize the treatment of all multiple myeloma patients.” About Multiple MyelomaMultiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the U.S., with 35,750 new cases and 12,590 deaths estimated to occur this year. New targeted agents and therapies have resulted in better outcomes, but most multiple myeloma patients eventually relapse. About CoMMpassSMThe MMRF CoMMpass study is a collaboration with clinical centers and patients with active multiple myeloma, who enrolled at diagnosis and were followed for at least eight years. The study maps patients’ tumor genomic profile to clinical outcomes with the goal of developing a more complete understanding of both disease biology and the patient’s response to treatments. With its inclusion in more than 200 published or presented studies, CoMMpass represents the largest longitudinal genomic dataset in multiple myeloma and has led to groundbreaking discoveries that have transformed how researchers understand the biology of the disease. The MMRF continues to support the use of this resource and makes the CoMMpass data available to other researchers globally. About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. We drive the development and delivery of next-generation therapies, leverage data to identify optimal and more personalized treatment approaches, and empower myeloma patients and the broader community with information and resources to extend their lives. Central to our mission is our commitment to advancing health equity so that all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has committed over $600 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org. Media Contact: Adam SilversteinScient PRadam@scientpr.com