AstraZeneca pulls cancer drug approvals
PHARMACEUTICAL giant AstraZeneca has withdrawn regulatory submissions for the use of its Zactima drug in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced lung cancer.
Applications were submitted for the treatment, also known as Vandetanib, to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in June 2009.
The group said its decision was based on new analysis that showed the drug did not improve patients’ chances of survival. Initial feedback from the regulatory authorities also suggested it would not be approved.
In a statement to the stock market AstraZeneca said its latest clinical trials showed the drug was “clinically active” when used with chemotherapy.
“AstraZeneca will complete the ongoing Phase III trial programme which will give a more complete view of Vandetanib efficacy in different clinical settings,” said the statement.
The multinational group employs 2,000 staff at a manufacturing facility in Macclesfield and 4,000 at its research and development centre in Alderley Edge.
