Debiopharm announces Elplat approval in Japan
For the treatment of inoperable advanced carcinoma of the colon and rectum
Debiopharm - an independent drug-development company specialising in oncology, endocrinology and niche products - has announced that Elplat (oxaliplatin), a new generation of platinum derivatives licensed-in and developed for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, has been granted marketing approval in Japan for the treatment of inoperable advanced and recurrent carcinoma of the colon and the rectum.
Oxaliplatin has been approved as an anticancer agent in over 60 countries worldwide, and is currently marketed as Eloxatin in Europe and the US by sanofi-aventis, Debiopharm's other major licensee. It is the leading therapy for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer worldwide, and is one of the few oncology products to have received a priority review in Japan, where it has been licensed-out to Yakult Honsha.
Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, president and ceo, Debiopharm, said: 'This opens up an important new market for our life-saving therapy. Yakult is an excellent commercial company and we look forward to providing Japanese patients with a valuable therapy.'
The incidence of colorectal cancer in Japan is constantly growing. It is expected to represent 115,000 cases in 2005, and to reach 140,000 by 2010.
Debiopharm is a part of Debio, an established group of four complementary companies, the other three being Debioinnovation, Debio R.P. and Debioclinic. Their combined sales in 2004 were in excess of $1.8bn.