Two AstraZeneca cancer drugs were approved by Japanese regulators
AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., announced that Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) has approved Lynparza (olaparib) tablets for use in patients with a type of advanced breast cancer. The drug is being developed and marketed by the two companies.
Also, AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its biologics research and development arm, today announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved Imfinzi ) as maintenance therapy for a type of advanced lung cancer.
Dave Fredrickson, executive vice president, head of the Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca, said: “Earlier this year, Lynparza became the first PARP inhibitor available in Japan for advanced ovarian cancer. Now patients in Japan with BRCA-mutated, metastatic breast cancer will also have the opportunity to benefit from Lynparza. This latest approval underlines our ongoing efforts to make Lynparza available across multiple cancers as quickly as possible to patients around the world.”
Studies indicated that Lynparzalengthened survival rates.
Lynparza is approved in Japan as maintenance treatment for women with a type of relapsed ovarian cancer.
Also, AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics arm, today announced that the Japanese regulators approved Imfinzi (durvalumab) as maintenance therapy for a type of non-small cell lung cancer.
Dave Fredrickson, executive vice president, head of the Oncology Business Unit said: “Non-small cell lung cancer is a leading cause of death in Japan, and we are dedicated to bringing new treatment options to patients as quickly as possible.”
AstaZeneca has its U.S. headquarters in Wilmington and employs about 1,500 in Delaware.
