AbbVie’s glioblastoma multiforme therapy given orphan drug status

AbbVie has announced that its investigational compound ABT-414 has been granted orphan drug designation by regulators in both the US and EU.

The European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration have recognised the fact that AbbVie's new treatment for glioblastoma multiforme could be an effective and beneficial new option for sufferers of this rare condition.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive type of malignant primary brain tumour. The five-year survival rate associated with the disease stands at around four percent.

Having shown promise in phase I studies, the drug will now receive commercial incentives for its continued development.

Dr Gary Gordon, vice-president for oncology clinical development at AbbVie, said: "The orphan drug designation is an important regulatory advancement as we further our development in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a disease that is uniformly fatal with limited treatment options."

The company is currently carrying out a takeover of fellow pharmaceutical company Shire, having agreed a 32 billion pound acquisition deal last month. This will create a new-look organisation with greater capabilities, currently dubbed New AbbVie.