Bayer drug gets EC status to treat liver cancer

Bayer has announced that it has been granted orphan medicinal product status by the European Commission (EC) for using its Nexavar drug as a treatment for liver cancer.

The US Food and Drug Administration has previously approved the product for use as a treatment for kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

“This orphan medicinal product designation demonstrates the EC’s commitment to the study and development of treatments for rare diseases,” said Dr Susan Kelley, vice president of oncology, Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

“This support adds momentum to our research efforts with Nexavar and brings hope of a new treatment option to liver cancer patients in Europe.”

Despite the fact that the phase III trial of Nexavar as a treatment for liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma, is still ongoing, the granting of this status by the EC was based on a recommendation from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency.

Previously, the EC has granted Nexavar orphan medicinal product status for the treatment of kidney cancer.

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