Abraxis BioScience introduces new breast cancer drug in EU

Abraxane is an albumin-bound nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel. In the European Union (EU), Abraxane is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline-containing therapy is not indicated.

Sales force and commercial services for Abraxis BioScience in the EU will be provided by Innovex, a unit of Quintiles Transnational, a commercial solutions provider to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries.

Following the current launch in the UK, Abraxane will be launched in Germany in the first quarter of 2009, followed by additional nations in Europe on a country by country basis.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, chairman and CEO of Abraxis BioScience, said: The launch of Abraxane in the EU, initially in the UK, is a significant milestone in our program to provide patients across the European continent with a new option for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Abraxis BioScience has made significant progress in 2008 in expanding the market reach of Abraxane in India, China and the Asia-Pacific region.

Our EU launch marks an important entry point in building a truly global presence for Abraxis BioScience as we seek approvals for new indications for Abraxane and continue to develop additional advanced medications in our pipeline.