Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Europe, its wholly owned subsidiary for oversight of pan-European sales and marketing, have jointly announced that Mepact, a new treatment in 20 years to improve survival in patients with osteosarcoma, is now commercially available in the European Union - via a paid named-patient program in countries where it is not initially reimbursed.
Data from an independent clinical study completed in osteosarcoma (662 patients) conducted by the Children's Oncology Group in the US, reportedly showed that when combined with chemotherapy, Mepact reduced the risk of death by almost one third compared with chemotherapy alone. In addition, 78% of patients survived after six years of follow-up after treatment with Mepact and chemotherapy, compared with 70% receiving chemotherapy alone.
Takeda anticipates that final reimbursement decisions in European countries will be completed during the course of 2010.
Erich Brunn, CEO of Takeda Pharmaceuticals Europe, said: "This is an important milestone for Takeda in Europe and for the treatment of osteosarcoma. We are excited to bring this innovation to patients and physicians."
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