Carvykti now available for myeloma in Australia
On 5 May 2026, the Australian Government announced that CAR T‑cell therapy (Carvykti) will be available for people with myeloma who have had at least four prior treatments, marking a significant milestone in patient advocacy efforts.
On Tuesday 5 May 2026, our Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced that the CAR T cell therapy, Carvykti will now be available to Australians living with myeloma who have had at least four prior lines of therapy including an immunomodulator, proteasome inhibitor and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
To learn more about CAR T cell therapy, please see our treatment infosheet.
Providing access to CAR T cell therapy in a public health system is complex and involves many stakeholders across state and federal governments. It has been a major focus of our advocacy efforts and we are very relieved to see that Carvykti is now available.
It’s important to note that access to Carvykti at the moment is only through two hospitals in Victoria, Alfred Health and The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. This is due to the federal agreements with other states not being finalised as yet. We anticipate these agreements will be signed soon and we will let you know as each state is activated.
We appreciate that access to Carvykti is not straight forward and you may have some questions. We have included answers to some frequently asked questions below.
You are also always welcome to make time to speak with our nurses. You can book a call on our Telephone Support Line here or email advocacy@myeloma.org.au
Thank you to everyone who shared their myeloma experience with MSAC as part of our advocacy efforts to seek funding for Carvykti for Australians living with myeloma.
Frequently asked questions
Access to Carvykti is for people who have had four prior lines of therapy including one therapy in each of the following categories. (Please note: the below therapies include PBS listed therapies only, not those you may have received through clinical trials).
- Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody: Daratumumab
- Immunomodulator: Thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide
- Proteasome inhibitor: Bortezomib, carfilzomib
While we wait for all states to have access to Carvykti, it is possible to receive Carvykti in Victoria. You will need to be able to relocate to Melbourne for at least four weeks after receiving Carvykti. The treating hospital will be able to advise if there is any accommodation support available to you.
CAR T cell therapy is a highly specialised type of therapy requiring unique infrastructure and accreditation to deliver safely.
Initially the hospitals in each state that will be able to deliver Carvykti are those that are already delivery CAR T cell therapy for lymphoma.
There are plans in place to increase the number of hospitals who have the required infrastructure and accreditation across the country in due course.
Your haematologist is the best person to confirm your eligibility for Carvykti as confirming the number of lines of therapy can be confusing.
A line of therapy refers to the combination of medicines you received at diagnosis and after each relapse or progression.
For those that have had an autologous stem cell transplant, your first line of therapy includes the induction phase, stem cell transplant and maintenance.
The second line of therapy is what you received the first time myeloma came back.
Here is an example of what four lines of therapy might look like but this will differ between individuals.
- Bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone + stem cell transplant + lenalidomide maintenance
- Daratumumab, bortezomib, dexamethasone
- Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone
- Pomalidomide, bortezomib, dexamethasone
or for those who have not had a stem cell transplant
- Selinexor, bortezomib, dexamethasone
- Lenalidomide, dexamethasone
- Daratumumab, bortezomib, dexamethasone
- Carfilzomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone
There are some people who have not had daratumumab and are therefore not eligible for Carvykti. Ask your haematologist if this applies to you and for guidance on your treatment options.
Carvykti is only available through the current government reimbursement process for those who meet criteria. There is no option to self-fund.
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