FDA approves Tagrisso (AZD9291) as treatment for patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive metastatic NSCLC

One of fastest development programs - from start of clinical trials to approval in just over two and a half years to meet unmet patient need.

Tagrisso is the only approved medicine indicated for patients with metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. This indication is approved under the FDA's accelerated approval process based on tumour response rate and duration of response (DoR).

Tagrisso is an EGFR-TKI, a targeted cancer therapy, designed to inhibit both the activating, sensitizing mutations (EGFRm), and T790M, a genetic mutation responsible to EGFR-TKI treatment resistance. Nearly two-thirds of NSCLC patients who are EGFR mutation-positive and experience disease progression after being treated with an EGFR-TKI develop the T790M resistance mutation, for which there have been limited treatment options.

Pascal Soriot, CEO, AstraZeneca, said: "The FDA approval of Tagrisso marks an important milestone for lung cancer patients who urgently need new treatment options. We have built on our heritage in this area and acted on the breakthrough clinical evidence to ensure this next-generation medicine reaches patients in record time. As we advance our comprehensive lung cancer portfolio, we have the opportunity to treat greater numbers of patients across all stages of this disease through precision medicines, immunotherapies and novel combinations."

Pasi A Jänne Director, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Scientific Director, Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School said: "In the AURA clinical studies, Tagrisso has demonstrated compelling early efficacy and tolerability in patients with EGFRm T790M metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. This treatment has the potential to become the standard of care for patients living with EGFRm T790M NSCLCr. The accelerated approval of Tagrisso highlights its clinical promise for a targeted group of patients and gives healthcare providers an important new option."