Bayer Schering Pharma AG’s oral Fludara® for low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma has been approved for marketing in Japan.
The oral formulation of Fludara® provides simpler, easier outpatient chemotherapy out to improve the quality of life of the patients and their families.
A purine nucleotide analog, Fludara® inhibits the synthesis of new DNA, thereby preventing leukemia cells from multiplying.
The intravenous (i.v.) formulation of Fludara® was first approved in 1991 and is available in 98 countries worldwide as a second-line therapy for B-CLL patients who have failed previous treatment with alkylating agents.
In addition, Fludara® i.v. has been approved as a first-line therapy of B-CLL in 62 countries. In 29 countries, Fludara® i.v. is also approved for the second-line treatment of low grade non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (lg-NHL).
Having the same effect as the i.v. formulation, the oral formulation was approved in Europe in 2001.
Source: Bayer Schering Pharma AG (OTC: SHRGY)
[Photo Credit: Berlex Oncology]
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