FDA expands approved use of Stivarga to treat liver cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approved use of Stivarga (regorafenib) to include treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC or liver cancer) who have been previously treated with the drug sorafenib.

This drug from German pharma major Bayer (BAYN: DE) is the first FDA-approved treatment for a liver cancer in almost a decade, the agency noted.

Today’s FDA approval expands Bayer’s leadership in liver cancer with a treatment plan in HCC involving use of Stivarga directly after progression on Nexavar (sorafenib), the company stated. Just the day earlier Bayer reported its first-quarter 2017 results, which showed that Stivarga generated sales of 75 million euros ($81.5 million) and Nexavar 207 million euros.