Prostate cancer drug Eligard gets new European dosage approval

QLT USA expects the launch of Eligard 45mg six-month formulation in 23 European countries follow the implementation of this positive decision in each of the individual countries.

The six-month formulation was launched in Germany in March 2007 following its approval in December 2006. Eligard is already approved in Germany and other European countries for the one-month (7.5mg) and three-month (22.5mg) formulations.

“The six-month formulation provides physicians with a new convenient option for patients with prostate cancer,” said Bob Butchofsky, president and CEO of QLT. “Eligard sales have been strong recently and we believe that this new approval will help contribute to future product growth.”

Through the first six months of 2007, Eligard worldwide sales have been approximately US$86.4 million, according to the company.

Eligard, a palliative treatment for advanced prostate cancer, incorporates a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist, or LHRH agonist, known as leuprolide acetate with QLT USA’s proprietary atrigel delivery system. The Atrigel technology allows for sustained delivery of leuprolide acetate for periods ranging from one to six months.

Eligard works by lowering the levels of testosterone in the body, which may result in a reduction of symptoms related to the disease. Sustained levels of leuprolide decrease testosterone levels to suppress tumor growth in patients with hormone-responsive prostate cancer. The liquid Eligard products are injected subcutaneously with a small gauge needle, forming a solid implant in the body that slowly releases leuprolide as the implant is bioabsorbed.