Bristol-Myers Squibb drug recommended for FDA approval

Bristol-Myers Squibb has had its application for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its new treatment belatacept backed by an advisory committee.

The FDA’s cardiovascular and renal drugs advisory committee has voted in favour of the regulator offering ratification to the treatment, which is designed to help prevent the rejection of transplanted kidneys.

This recommendation is not binding, but will be considered by the FDA as it reviews the biopharmaceutical company’s new drug application.

Brian Daniels, senior vice president of global development and medical affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb, welcomed the news as an encouraging indicator.

He added: “We will continue to work closely with the FDA to support the review of belatacept, which has the potential to provide another treatment option for kidney transplant patients.”

Earlier this year, the company published its financial report for 2009, during which it experienced an 11 per cent increase in its sales compared to the previous year.