The International Myeloma Foundation Launches US Myeloma Network to Accelerate Clinical Trials, Expand Access, and Improve Patient Care

LOS ANGELES and STUDIO CITY, Calif., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) announced the launch of the US Myeloma Network (USMN) — a first-of-its-kind national clinical research network designed to accelerate the prevention and cure of multiple myeloma by advancing scientific discovery, expanding access to clinical trials, and ensuring more patients benefit from breakthrough therapies. Johnson & Johnson joins this initiative as the network's first industry collaborator. The USMN will focus on clinical trials with the potential to change clinical practice across care settings, accelerating the delivery of innovative therapies and new treatment approaches to patients.

The USMN connects leading academic centers, community oncology practices and industry partners through a coordinated national infrastructure designed to streamline trial activation, reduce operational barriers, expand equitable access to clinical trials, and accelerate the development of more effective therapies across the continuum of myeloma care – from prevention and early intervention through relapsed and refractory disease.

"The future of myeloma depends on our ability to bring scientific innovation to patients more quickly and more equitably," said S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD, Mayo Clinic, Chairperson of the International Myeloma Foundation. "The US Myeloma Network creates an unprecedented opportunity to unite investigators across the country through a coordinated research infrastructure that accelerates clinical trials, expands patient participation, and advances the discoveries that will ultimately lead to the prevention—and one day the cure—of multiple myeloma."

Expanding equity in clinical research is a foundational principle of the USMN. Beyond increasing the availability of clinical trials, the network is committed to ensuring patients understand – and can confidently participate in – research through culturally responsive, linguistically appropriate education and community engagement designed in partnership with populations that have historically faced barriers to trial participation. 

"Every breakthrough in myeloma begins with a patient who participates in research," said Heather Cooper Ortner, IMF President and CEO. "The US Myeloma Network is designed to ensure that more patients have that opportunity regardless of where they live. By making clinical research more accessible, more collaborative, and more inclusive, we will accelerate scientific discovery, bring promising therapies to patients faster, and move closer to preventing and curing this disease."

"Johnson & Johnson is proud to support the International Myeloma Foundation's US Myeloma Network as its first industry collaborator," said Imran Khan, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, U.S. Hematology Medical Affairs, Johnson & Johnson. "At Johnson & Johnson, our ambition is to move closer to a future where multiple myeloma can be cured. Collaborations like this help advance the research and insights needed to accelerate progress toward that goal and improve outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma."

A cornerstone of the US Myeloma Network is its strategic collaboration with Sarah Cannon Development Innovations, LLC, which is Sarah Cannon Research Institute's (SCRI) CRO. Combining the IMF's internationally recognized scientific leadership, patient trust, and global research collaborations with Sarah Cannon Development Innovations' expertise in complex oncology trials establishes a powerful national research infrastructure capable of launching innovative studies faster, expanding equitable access to clinical trials, and accelerating progress for myeloma patients.

"The US Myeloma Network and SCRI share a common goal: expand access to innovative clinical research and bring promising therapies to patients faster," said Marcy Vallone, Senior Vice President of Sarah Cannon Development Innovations. "As an oncology-dedicated CRO, we are honored to support this important initiative by providing the infrastructure and operational expertise needed to deliver clinical trials across participating USMN sites. Together, we are creating more opportunities for patients, helping advance the next generation of therapies for multiple myeloma."

Through collaborating with biopharmaceutical companies, leading research centers, and community oncology practices, the USMN creates a more efficient pathway from scientific discovery to clinical practice – helping innovative therapies reach patients sooner.

US Myeloma Network: Building on the legacy of the IMF's mission
For nearly four decades, the IMF has united researchers, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, patients, and care partners around one shared mission: accelerating the prevention and cure of myeloma and improving the quality of life for patients and families.

The US Myeloma Network builds on that legacy by transforming how clinical research is conducted, expanding equitable access to innovation, and bringing the promise of scientific discovery to more patients than ever before.

Learn more about the US Myeloma Network.

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 causes damage to bones 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 Black and African Americans than White Americans. The most common symptoms include fatigue and bone pain.  

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION  
Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the world's leading organization dedicated to multiple myeloma. The IMF is steadfast in its mission: accelerating the prevention and cure of myeloma and improving the quality of life for patients and families. Through initiatives such as the US Myeloma Network, the International Myeloma Working Group, the Black Swan Research Initiative® (BSRI), and its comprehensive education, support, and advocacy programs, the IMF works to accelerate the prevention and cure of myeloma while ensuring every patient has equitable access to the latest scientific advances.

The IMF serves people impacted by myeloma at every stage of the disease by combining world-class research, trusted education, global advocacy, and direct support. A cornerstone of this work is the International Myeloma Working Group® (IMWG), a network of more than 380 internationally renowned researchers and clinicians who establish guidelines that shape how myeloma is diagnosed, treated, and managed across the globe.

Through its global network of support groups, educational programs, its 24/7 generative-AI myeloma assistant Myelo®, its InfoLine, and its advocacy for greater healthcare access, the IMF helps people living with myeloma and their care partners navigate diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. At the same time, the IMF ensures scientific advances translate into better care and outcomes.    

Learn more at www.myeloma.org or contact the IMF InfoLine at (800) 452-CURE (2873) (U.S. & Canada), +1 (818) 487-7455 (worldwide), or [email protected].

Follow the IMF on:  
X/Twitter: @IMFmyeloma 
Instagram: @imfmyeloma 
Facebook: @myeloma    
LinkedIn: International Myeloma Foundation 
Bluesky: @imfmyeloma.bsky.social

Media Contacts:  

Peter Anton  
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Jason London  
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SOURCE International Myeloma Foundation