Additionally, Thalidomide Pharmion was granted marketing approval in combination with dexamethasone for induction therapy prior to high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue, for the treatment of patients with untreated multiple myeloma. These marketing approvals are said to represent the first oral cancer therapy ever registered for patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Australia.
Aart Brouwer, president of Celgene International, said: “The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval of Thalidomide Pharmion for newly diagnosed myeloma patients offers additional options in this critical disease area. Additionally, these approvals confirm our leadership role in blood cancer research and innovative oral therapies.”