China's NMPA approves another indication for tislelizumab

Chinese biotech BeiGene (Nasdaq: BGNE) today announced that the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the firm’s anti-PD-1 antibody, tislelizumab, in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).

“NPC is one of the most common head and neck cancers in China and many parts of Asia. Treatment options have been limited, with chemotherapy primarily provided for front-line care. On behalf of these patients, today’s approval of tislelizumab, a potentially differentiated checkpoint inhibitor, for patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC could provide new hope,” commented Dr Mark Lanasa, chief medical officer, solid tumors, at BeiGene, adding: “We look forward to bringing this important immunotherapy to the underserved patient community in China.”

“With nine approved indications in China, our 3,100+ science-based commercial team is working to make tislelizumab more broadly available to those who may benefit from this important immunotherapy,” commented Xiaobin Wu, president, chief operating officer, and general manager of China, at BeiGene.