GlaxoSmithKline says it is at important stage with Arzerra

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is at an important milestone in the development of Arzerra (ofatumumab), it has stated.

Along with Genmab, the company is working on the medication to help patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted ten to three in favour that the therapy is likely to have clinical benefits for sufferers of the disease.

Dr Debasish Roychowdhury, senior vice-president and head of medicines development at GSK’s oncology division, noted there is a need for new remedies.

Although current therapies can provide prolonged remissions, some sufferers will progress quickly and then relapse, he added.

“We look forward to working with the FDA towards an approval for ofatumumab,” Dr Roychowdhury commented.

Earlier this month, GSK presented data at the 25th International Papillomavirus Conference in Sweden from three studies of the cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix.

Head of global clinical research and development and chief medical officer Thomas Breuer noted he is confident with the results, which showed the product does not generate the same immune response against two common disease-causing virus types.