25th Feb 2016 09:07
LONDON (Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC said Acerta Pharma BV's acalabrutinib has been recommended for three indications by the European Medicines Agency Committee for Orphan Medicinal Productions.
AstraZeneca agreed to buy a majority stake in Dutch and US biopharmaceutical firm Acerta Pharma in December for USD2.5 billion.
The recommendations were for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.
"Today's three positive opinions recommending acalabrutinib for designation as an orphan medicinal product are important milestones. They reinforce the strategic rationale for our investment in Acerta, demonstrating clear progress in developing a potential best-in-class medicine that could transform treatment for patients across a range of blood cancers," said Sean Bohen, executive vice president of Global Medicines Development and chief medical officer at AstraZeneca.
"The positive opinions underscore the continued need for the development of new therapies in these serious and life-threatening conditions and support our commitment to bring new medicines to patients as quickly as possible," Bohen added.
Shares in AstraZeneca were up 1.2% to 4,135.50 pence.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
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