Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) drug approved in Europe

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) drug approved in Europe

29 Jul 2014

EU regulators approved obinutuzumab for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, a type of cancer that starts from white blood cells in the bone marrow.

The new medicine has the trade name Gazyvaro, and is manufactured by Roche. It is an "improved follow-on medicine" to the same drugmaker's Rituxan, or MabThera.

The move endorses a favorable recommendation in May from the European Medicine Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), which are normally followed by the European Commission.

Details on the drug

Obinutuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the CD20 protein expressed on B-cells.

 

Source: Reuters