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European Commission approves temozolomide

06 Mar 2009

The European Commission has approved intravenous formulation of temozolomide as a therapy for patients with certain forms of brain tumour.

Schering-Plough, the maker of the treatment, explains the medication is intended to serve as an alternative to the already approved oral variety of the drug.

Marketed as Temodal in the European Union, temozolomide is a chemotherapy agent for the treatment of individuals who have just been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme alongside radiotherapy and then on its own.

It is also intended for use in patients with malignant gliomas such as anaplastic astrocytoma.

The product is due to the be marketed as Temodar in the USA.

Dr Robert J Spiegel, chief medical officer and senior vice-president at Schering-Plough Research Institute, says: "These two new options recognise Schering-Plough''s commitment to providing effective treatments in a variety of presentations for specific patient needs and patient convenience."

In recent days, the company announced the launch of a new nasal rinse called Afrin.