AstraZeneca's Calquence Steps Into Blood Cancer Ring With Mighty Imbruvica

AstraZeneca's launch of BTK inhibitor Calquence (acalabrutinib) in mantle cell lymphoma will mark the company's market entry in liquid tumors, up against a formidable competitor – J&J/Abbvie's first-in-class Imbruvica.

FDA Approved typed words on a vintage typewriter

Accelerated approval by the US FDA in the uncommon cancer mantle cell lymphoma is just the beginning for AstraZeneca PLC's Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor Calquence (acalabrutinib), which is poised to ultimately challenge Johnson & Johnson's first-in-class megahit Imbruvica across a range of indications.

FDA approved Calquence on Oct. 31 for second-line treatment of MCL, an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that strikes about...

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