Sanofi and Regeneron launch colorectal cancer drug Zaltrap in UK

Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have announced the UK launch of Zaltrap, a targeted biologic agent for the treatment of advanced metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Zaltrap is licensed for use in combination with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (Folfiri) chemotherapy for the treatment of adults with mCRC that is resistant to or has progressed after an oxaliplatin-based regimen.

The drug has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve overall and progression-free survival rates among sufferers of this disease, which is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK.

It received approval from the European Commission for sale in all 27 EU member states last month.

Dr Antonio Saha, colorectal lead and oncology medical advisor for Sanofi UK and Ireland, said: "At Sanofi we are committed to improving the understanding and treatment of all cancers and to ensuring that patients continue to benefit from advances in treatment."

This comes after the company's vaccines division Sanofi Pasteur received a recommendation for EU approval of the six-in-one paediatric vaccine Hexyon last month.