Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) has obtained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its generic version of Xeloda, an oral chemotherapy pill used to treat colorectal cancer that has metastasized, and metastatic breast cancer. Global sales of brand Xeloda, made by Switzerland's Roche Holdings AG (SWX: ROG) totaled $830 million in the first half of 2013.
FDA Office of Generic Drugs acting director Dr. Kathleen Uhl said, “This medication is widely used by people living with cancer, so it is important to have access to affordable treatment options."
The US National Cancer Institute estimates that 142,820 people in the US will be diagnosed with, and 50,830 will die of colorectal cancer in 2013, and that 232,340 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 39,620 women will die of it.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 17, 2013
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