BRIEF—Chugai files rare cancer drug for Japan approval

Tokyo’s Chugai Pharmaceutical has filed for approval to market entrectinib in Japan for the treatment of certain people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The application covers NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors, a rare type of cancer, and ROS1 fusion-positive NSCLC, a type of cancer which less than 2% of people with NSCLC have.

Chugai has in-licensed the therapy from Switzerland’s Roche, which has a majority stake in the company. In February Roche received Priority Review status for a parallel application in this indication in the USA.