Chugai product Avastin receives approval

Chugai has announced that its product Avastin has been approved by the ministry of health, labour and welfare to treat unresectable advanced or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

This follows two trials conducted in patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC, which found that overall and/or progression-free survival was achieved in patients who received Avastin in combination with standard platinum-based chemotherapy.

The studies found that this rate was a significant improvement compared to the candidates who underwent chemotherapy alone.

Following this news, Chugai plans to ascertain further information regarding the safety of the drug by conducting a six-month post-marketing survey after its launch.

This is in order to keep track of any adverse events reported due to use of the drug.

In late October, Chugai and Taisho revealed that they had jointly submitted a new drug application for the active vitamin D3 derivative eldecalcitol.