Takeda files for approval of ixazomib in Japan

Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan for ixazomib, the first oral proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The NDA was filed based on the results of TOURMALINE-MM1, a global Phase III trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in April. The trial demonstrated that the all-oral triplet regimen containing ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone significantly extended the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, with a manageable safety profile and the convenience and practicality of oral dosing.

“Multiple myeloma remains a devastating, relapsing and incurable rare cancer. We designed our extensive global Phase III clinical trial program, which includes TOURMALINE-MM1, to address the unmet need for an effective, tolerable and conveniently dosed therapy that may reduce some of the burdens that patients currently face,” said Andrew Plump, Takeda’s chief medical and scientific officer. “Should it be approved, the NDA submission of ixazomib will enable the first all-oral, proteasome inhibitor-containing triplet regimen in Japan. We thank the patients and investigators who have contributed to the development of ixazomib and look forward to the opportunity of offering this innovative drug to patients in Japan,” Dr Plump noted.

Already approved in USA

Last fall, the US Food and Drug Administration granted approval for Takeda Pharmaceutical's Ninlaro (ixazomib) in combination with two other therapies to treat people with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.