End Of The Year Approvals And Actions, In Brief
Executive Summary
Ferring plans prostate cancer drug launch: After securing FDA approval of degarelix for advanced prostate cancer, the Swiss pharma is planning a launch in the first quarter after finalizing the trade name with FDA. Degarelix is a gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonist that suppresses testosterone, and could have an advantage over existing hormonal treatments like Abbott's Lupron Depot because it hasn't shown the initial surge in testosterone production that has been seen with some other agents, according to FDA. Testosterone plays an important role in the growth of prostate cancer, so suppressing testosterone can slow the growth and progression of prostate tumors. Degarelix was compared to leuprolide in the Phase III study supporting approval. For the U.S. launch, Ferring plans to expand its existing urology sales force from 85 reps to 115