Takeda announces EU availability of Mepact

Takeda revealed this week that Mepact (mifamurtide), its treatment for osteosarcoma, has been made commercially available in the EU.

The therapy, which is the first to be approved for the treatment of this form of malignant bone cancer within the last 20 years, is available through a paid named-patient programme in countries where it is not initially reimbursed.

A clinical trial conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group showed that when used alongside chemotherapy, Mepact reduced the risk of death by almost one-third, compared with chemotherapy alone.

Ian Lewis, professor of cancer studies at St James University Hospital in Leeds, England, stated that there has been a “significant lack of progress” in treating osteosarcoma in the last two decades.

He continued: “The availability of mifamurtide brings hope to children and young adults in need of a more positive treatment option for this devastating disease.”

In December, Takeda and its partner Pronova BioPharma ASA revealed that the hypertriglyceridemia treatment they jointly developed – TAK-085 – has been submitted for the final stages of clinical testing.