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 3,300 in the US each year. The filing had priority...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from New Products

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By 

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

Bayer Has BI In Its Sights With Priority Review For HER2 Lung Cancer Drug

 
• By 

Sevabertinib gets onto the FDA's approval fast track three months after zongertinib.

Pipeline Watch: 12 Approvals And 26 Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Boehringer’s CMO On How AI, Integrated Evidence Generation Underpin Its Ambitious Launch Plans

 

The German company has big plans for the next five years or so. Scrip speaks to its chief medical officer Lykke Hinsch Gylvin about how it is using AI and other innovative approaches to make good on its ambitions.

More from Scrip

Quotables: Pharma Leaders On The Month’s Hot Topics

 

The highlights of recent comments and insights from industry executives on the key issues covered in Scrip.

In Brief: Neurocrine Details New Data For Schizophrenia Drug Moving To Phase III

 

Neurocrine reports new details of positive Phase II results in schizophrenia and a favorable safety and cardiovascular profile for its first-in-class oral M4 agonist, now moving to Phase III trials.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By 

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.