A cutting-edge oncology drug developed by Loxo Oncology and Bayer has won approval in the U.S.
Unlike medications that target a specific cancer, Loxo’s drug, Vitravki, is designed to treat a specific “TRK gene fusion” mutation, and was shown effective for treating a number of different cancers. The FDA approved Vitravki for adults and children with advanced solid tumors, and is one of the first drugs to get a regulatory nod for a tumor-agnostic indication.
Vitravki is the first medication by Loxo to win regulatory approval and comes with a $32,800-per month price tag.
The specific mutation only affects about 3,000 Americans every year, but some analysts have forecasted that sales for the drug could reach $1 billion by 2024.
Loxo is also developing another drug that treats a different rare gene mutation called RET, which can be present in patients with lung, thyroid and other cancers.
Read the full Reuters report.
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