The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has given accelerated approval to an AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) drug that uses the body’s own immune system to beat cancer.
Initially, Imfinzi will be used to treat patients with bladder cancer, which is a comparatively small market for a company of the international scale of AZ.
However, its use is expected to become wider spread and it may be used in combination with other front-line treatments for cancer.
The company itself estimated Imfinzi could eventually become one of its new breed of blockbuster products with peak sales of US$6.5bn.
"This first approval for Imfinzi is an important milestone in our return to growth," said the Anglo-Swedish giant’s chief executive, Pascal Soriot.
Immuno-oncology a hot area of research..
Immuno-oncology is a hot area of research at the moment with a rush to produce drugs that use the body’s immune system to fight disease.
Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche and Merck have received approvals for therapies that work in a similar way, heralding a new era for cancer care.
For AZ, Imfinzi is a welcome addition to medicines cabinet run low by patent expiries. It is one of a series rolling off the production line in the next 24 months