FDA accepts AstraZeneca’s drug for multiple B-cell and other cancers.

AstraZeneca and its haematology research and development centre of excellence, Acerta Pharma, Wednesday said that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted and granted priority review for the New Drug Application (NDA) for acalabrutinib, a highly-selective, potent, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor.

The NDA is based on results from the Phase II ACE-LY-004 clinical trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of acalabrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. This follows the FDA’s recent Breakthrough Therapy Designation for acalabrutinib.

Sean Bohen, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, said: “FDA’s acceptance of the acalabrutinib application and Priority Review illustrates the impact it could have on patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma as we work to bring this potential medicine to those in need as quickly as possible.”

Priority Review is granted to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer a significant improvement in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is during the first quarter of 2018.

Flavia Borellini, Acerta Pharma CEO, said: “We believe acalabrutinib has the potential to be a very important treatment option for patients with this life-threatening blood cancer. The FDA’s NDA acceptance exemplifies our progress in the acalabrutinib development programme and continues our momentum as we seek to transform care for people with haematologic malignancies.”