Diplomat to distribute myeloma drug Ninlaro

Diplomat Pharmacy reported on Monday that it is a member of a limited panel of specialty pharmacies selected to distribute Ninlaro as a treatment for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma.

Ninlaro is a second-generation oral proteasome inhibitor. Proteasomes are enzymes found in cells that help to break down old or unwanted proteins. Ninlaro disrupts a cancer cells’ ability to survive by blocking the proteasome and disrupting protein metabolism.

Multiple myeloma is a hematological (blood) cancer that forms malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow, producing abnormal proteins. Because plasma cells circulate widely in the body, they have the potential to affect many bones, possibly resulting in compression fractures, lytic bone lesions and related pain. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 26,850 Americans will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and 11,240 will die from the disease.

“We are excited to offer patients the first oral proteasome inhibitor as an alternative treatment option for those with multiple myeloma,” said Gary Kadlec, president of Diplomat. “This breakthrough therapy will serve as an important treatment option for patients with unmet needs.”

Ninlaro is manufactured by Millennium Pharmaceutics, Inc., a Takeda oncology company.