Chugai anti-cancer agent and Avastin variant approved by MHLW

Chugai has announced that Xeloda ? its oral fluoropyrimidine (5-FU) anti-cancer agent capecitabine ? has been approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

This is in combination with oxaliplatin in the treatment of patients with advanced or refractory colorectal cancer who are not candidates for curative surgery.

The combination, named XELOX, enables outpatients to be treated once every three weeks, therefore helping to reduce the workload associated with chemotherapy treatment for both patients and healthcare centres.

As well as this approval, Chugai’s anti-VEGF human monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (genetical recombination), which is marketed under the name Avastin, also received authorisation from the MHLW in 100 mg and 400 mg injection doses.

Since 2002, Chugai has been working with Roche on the research and development of drugs and specialises in onocology and renal, bone and joint disease treatments.