Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) today announced the launch of brand biologic oncology treatment drugs Lonquex in Germany and Granix in the US. Both drugs reduce the duration of severe neutropenia, a blood cancer, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies, who are receiving myelosuppressive anticancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.
Teva obtained Lonquex as part of its acquisition of ratioPharm GmbH. The German launch of Lonquex (long-acting G-CSF) is the first part of a pan-European approval of the drug, with more launches in countries covered by the European Marketing Approval scheduled over the coming months.
G-CSF is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the body to stimulate the bone marrow to produce neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight infection. A recombinant form of G-CSF is used to treat certain cancer patients with neutropenia in order to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells.
“Teva is committed to commercializing G-CSFs globally and is continuing to build the portfolio of short- and long-acting G-CSFs in this important, patient-focused category of medicines,” said Teva Global Specialty Medicines president and CEO Dr. Rob Koremans. “By making these treatment options available to physicians and their patients, our goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those with cancer."
In a separate development, Teva withdrew its Biologics License Application (BLA) for oncology treatment balugrastim from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review process, pending the provision of additional confirmatory data. The FDA has agreed to work with Teva in designing any additional studies that may be required in support of the application for the drug.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 18, 2013
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