FDA approves Portrazza for specific type of lung cancer
Portrazza, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is the first biologic approved for first-line treatment of people with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
Eli Lilly and Company has announced that the FDA has approved Portrazza (necitumumab injection for intravenous use, 800 mg/50 mL), in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, as the first biologic for the first-line treatment of people with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Portrazza is not indicated for treatment of nonsquamous NSCLC.
"We have seen advances in lung cancer in the last 20 years, but not for the initial treatment of patients battling metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer. This is a complex disease and there is an urgent need for effective, first-line treatments," said Richard Gaynor, senior vice president, product development and medical affairs for Lilly Oncology. "The approval of Portrazza is an important step forward that reaffirms Lilly's commitment to discovering new treatments that respond to the needs of individual patients."
Portrazza has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA. Orphan drug status is given in the US by the FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) to medicines that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions.
The Portrazza approval is based on the results of SQUIRE, an open-label, randomized, multi-center Phase III trial that compared first-line treatment with Portrazza in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin to treatment with gemcitabine and cisplatin alone in patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC. The main outcome measure, or primary endpoint, was overall survival. Portrazza is not indicated for treatment of nonsquamous NSCLC.
"Lung cancer is an extremely complicated disease that requires a variety of therapy options so doctors can choose an appropriate treatment for each patient's unique circumstances," said Bonnie J. Addario, founder and chair of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, and a lung cancer survivor. "Today's approval represents progress for patients diagnosed with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer, as each new therapy advances cancer care and gives patients hope for improved outcomes."
Related News
-
News Pharmaceutical industry supports COP28 health stance in joint statement
As COP28 takes place over this week in Dubai, UAE, several bodies in the pharmaceutical and health industries have come together to announce support of key movements in sustainability in the sector, and to recognise sustainability as a health issue.&nb... -
News Biden backs Cold-War measures to shore-up medical supply chains
In a recent strategy to combat rising inflation and the cost of living crisis, President Joe Biden has invoked a Cold War-era act to increase investment in a selection of medicines and supplies. -
News CPHI Podcast Series: What does the changing US Pharma market mean for industry and patients alike?
In this week's episode of the CPHI Podcast Series Lucy Chard, Digital Editor for CPHI Online is joined by James Manser to discuss the political and market changes in the US pharma field. -
News Which 10 drugs are open to price negotiation with Medicare in the USA?
The Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services, under the Biden administration in the USA, has released a list of the 10 drugs that will be open to price negotiations as part of the new legislation under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). -
News 10 Major Drug Approvals So Far in 2023
Last year, 37 novel drugs were approved by the FDA, this was a high number for such a category, and covered many fields including oncology, demonstrating how promising further research is, and how it is only continuing to build. To date, there are alre... -
News Novartis agrees for copies to be made of cancer drug to reach poorer countries
Novartis signs agreement with MPP to have generics of it's leukemia drug made so that it can be more easily distributed to the world's poorer countries. -
News CPHI Podcast Series: outsourcing and manufacturing trends
Listen to the CPHI Podcast Series this June to hear Gil Roth of the PBOA speak with Digital Editor Lucy Chard about the biggest trends and topics to watch in pharma outsourcing and manufacturing at the minute. -
News New WHO health emergency guidelines expect full transparency from Big Pharma
The WHO are proposing a new set of pandemic guidelines to set out how future global health crises should be handled.
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance