Strides Arcolab gets US FDA nod for cancer drug

PTI Updated - December 15, 2011 at 04:17 PM.

Drug firm Strides Arcolab today said it has received approval from the US health regulator to market cytarabine injections, used in the treatment of cancer, in the American market.

Onco Therapies Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Strides Arcolab, has received approval for three abbreviated new drug applications of cytarabine injections from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), Strides Arcolab said in a statement.

The company has received approval for “cytarabine injection 20 mg/mL, packaged in 500 mg/25 mL multiple-dose vials, 20 mg/ml, packaged in 100 mg/ 5 ml single—dose vials and 20 mg/ml, packaged in 1,000 mg/50 ml pharmacy bulk packages,” it added.

According to IMS data, the US market for cytarabine is worth nearly $12.3 million, it added.

Cytarabine is part of Strides’ oncology portfolio licensed to Pfizer in January 2010, for the US market and is expected to be launched shortly, the company said.

Cytarabine is used to treat different forms of leukaemia, including acute and chronic myelogenous and acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

It is also used to treat cancer found in the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

Published on December 15, 2011 10:47