British drug maker GSK has announced that it would stop the supply of its drug Blenrep, used in the treatment of blood cancer. However, the trial programs involving the drug will continue. Besides, in selected cases, some patients may have the approval to continue the treatment.
Official information from GSK says that Blenrep failed to convince authorities that it is a better alternative to an already available treatment.
The drug failed to meet the requirements/goals of an FDA requisite confirmatory clinical trial to keep the drug’s accelerated approval license.
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“We will continue the DREAM clinical trial program and work with the U.S. FDA on a path forward for this important treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma,” says Sabine Luik, CMO, GSK.
The drug is available in about 17 nations that are part of the European Union.
The withdrawal is undoubtedly a setback for the drug maker as the U.S. has been one of its core places.
The FDA approved the drug in 2020 with ease. The drug was targeted mainly at patients with multiple myeloma (relapsed or refractory). The target group had received more than four previous therapies.
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The year 2021 was a positive one for the drug and its market. Globally, GSK was able to procure around $105 million. Two-thirds of the income happened in the U.S.
Besides, the company was optimistic about approximately the same amount this year. Recently, the company had to limit the availability of yet another oncology drug, Zejula (an ovarian cancer drug), from the U.S.