Lexicon Pharmaceuticals’ Xermelo was recently approved with orphan status by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Diplomat, the USA largest independent specialty pharmacy, will fill prescriptions for it, as it has been selected to the limited-distribution panel of the drug.
“Xermelo is a promising new treatment option,” said Paul Urick, Diplomat’s president. “Carcinoid syndrome is life-altering to those who suffer from it, and now we are able to help them. Xermelo will help us deliver the personal support we promise patients and make a real impact on their treatment.”
Carcinoid syndrome occurs when metastatic carcinoid tumors overproduce certain chemicals such as serotonin. XermeloERMELO™ targets tryptophan hydroxylase, an enzyme responsible for excess serotonin production. XERMELO™ works within tumorous cells to reduce serotonin production, providing more control for patients over the disease.