Latest news

• FDA fast-tracks Astellas' Rydapt rival

  Astellas Pharma has claimed a fast-track designation in the US for its FLT3 inhibitor gilteritinib, a drug that could rival Novartis’ budding $250m-plus product Rydapt (midostaurin). ... The FDA gave the status to gilteritinib as a treatment for adults

• Astellas extends phase III programme for Rydapt rival gilteritinib

  Astellas has started a fourth phase III trial of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) drug gilteritinib, a FLT3 inhibitor racing to join Novartis' recently-approved Rydapt on the market. ... Given this reality, it is exciting to study gilteritinib in patients

• Novartis' Rydapt approval ends long AML therapy drought

  Meanwhile Astellas' gilteritinib - billed as a second-generation FLT3 inhibitor that avoids a resistance mechanism seen with earlier drugs - is also in late-stage testing.