GlaxoSmithKline receives breast cancer approval for Tyverb

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that the European Commission has approved its drug Tyverb in a new indication for breast cancer.

The product has been ratified in combination with trastuzumab as a treatment for breast cancer patients whose tumours overexpress HER2 with hormone receptor-negative metastatic disease.

It is specifically intended for adult sufferers whose condition has progressed on prior trastuzumab treatment in combination with chemotherapy.

Data from the EGF104900 clinical trial showed that the therapy option can deliver overall survival benefits for this patient group, while also offering a strong safety performance.

Tyverb was first made available in 2007 and has now been approved in 107 countries across the world.

Paolo Paoletti, president of GlaxoSmithKline Oncology, said: "Today's announcement is important for women with this specific type of metastatic breast cancer, who will have now a new treatment option."

This comes after GlaxoSmithKline applied to the European Medicines Agency for approval of its drugs Cervarix and Votrient in new indications earlier this month.