The drug along with melphalan and prednisone may be used in patients who cannot receive high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplant.
Janssen-Cilag won approval from the European Commission to market Velcade as a treatment for patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM). Specifically, the drug in combination with melphalan and prednisone may be administered to newly diagnosed patients who are not eligible for high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplant.
Velcade was originally approved in the EU in 2005 for MM after first relapse. Additionally, FDA has sanctioned the drug to treat patients whose MM has progressed after two other types of chemotherapy. The therapy is marketed in over 87 countries, according to Janssen.
Representatives from Janssen were not immediately available for comment on what the expected market expansion is or progress on U.S. approval as a first-line treatment.
Velcade is a proteasome inhibitor codeveloped by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. Millennium is responsible for commercialization in the U.S., and Janssen-Cilag is responsible for commercialization in Europe and the rest of the world. Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. has the Japanese rights.
