FDA Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee Recommends Enzon’s Pegintron For Approval

Enzon Pharmaceuticals has reported that the FDA Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee has voted in favor of approval of Pegintron as a treatment in addition to surgery in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Reportedly, the product is currently being marketed, manufactured and developed by Schering-Plough. Pegintron (Peginterferon alfa-2b) is currently indicated for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients 18 years of age or older, with compensated liver disease and previously untreated with interferon alpha.

Moreover, Pegintron is also indicated for use in combination with Rebetol (ribavirin) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients three years of age and older with compensated liver disease.

The company claims that Pegintron is one of several products which utilise Enzon’s PEGylation technology, including Cimzia, Macugen, and Pegasys.

Jeffrey Buchalter, president and CEO at Enzon, said: “We congratulate Schering-Plough for this great achievement. Pegintron provides effective treatment to hepatitis C patients and we are pleased Schering-Plough continues to explore its use in additional areas.”