BRIEF—New freeze-dried Oncaspar will improve supply management for Shire

The European Medicines Agency has approved a new freeze-dried formulation of Shire’s acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy Oncaspar (pegaspargase).

The firm says the new product will improve supply management by providing the same dosing regimen as liquid Oncaspar, but with a shelf life of up to two years.

Senior VP in global R&D Howard Mayer said: “With this lyophilized formulation, we aim to make pegylated asparaginase, part of the pediatric standard therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, available to patients in countries where liquid Oncaspar is not currently offered.”

“Additionally, with extended shelf life up to 24 months, treatment centers will have flexibility in inventory management to help ensure continuous treatment supply for patients.”