Sanofi receives CHMP backing for cancer drug Zaltrap

Sanofi has received a recommendation from Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for approval of its cancer drug Zaltrap.

The European Medicines Agency committee has issued a positive opinion on the use of Zaltrap as a therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is resistant to or has progressed after an oxaliplatin-containing regimen.

Zaltrap is designed for infusion in combination with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/folinic acid chemotherapy among adult patients, with data from the phase III Velour study demonstrating its safety and efficacy.

A final approval decision from the European Commission is now expected during the first quarter of 2013.

Dr Debasish Roychowdhury, senior vice-president and head of Sanofi Oncology, said: "We are pleased that CHMP has supported our Zaltrap application. This brings us one step closer to bringing this novel treatment with a proven survival benefit to colorectal cancer patients in Europe."

This comes after the firm received a CHMP recommendation for approval of its type 2 diabetes therapy Lyxumia earlier this month.