Roche anaemia drug receives EU marketing approval

Roche has announced that its subcutaneous injection of NeoRecormon (epoetin beta) 30,000 IU administered once-a-week for the treatment of anaemia in solid cancer patients receiving chemotherapy has gained European marketing approval.

The company reports that these patients will have more convenient management of anaemia as they would no longer require three weekly injections.

NeRecormon is an anaemia treatment that increases haemoglobin numbers and oxygen levels in the blood to reduce morbidity and enhance the quality of life of patients.

The breast cancer anaemia and the value of erythoproietin study conducted in women with metastatic breast cancer and the Nautica study in patients with a wide range of cancers provided supporting data for this new approval.

“NeoRecormon 30,000 IU once weekly is proven to effectively and rapidly correct anaemia irrespective of the type of chemotherapy patients receive,” the company states.

“It also reduces the need for blood transfusions by at least 50 per cent compared to standard care,” it added.

The company noted that the therapy increases the necessary time elapsed before a patient requires a first transfusion, while also improving quality of life and daily energy levels.

Last month, Roche announced that its orally-administered cancer pharmaceutical Tarceva (erlotibib) received a positive recommendation from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use.