US-based Baxalta has purchased Oncasper (pegaspargase) portfolio from Sigma-Tau Finanziaria for around $900m.
Under the deal, Baxalta has acquired biologic treatment Oncasper, a novel investigational biologic calaspargase pegol and established global clinical and commercial resources.
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Oncasper portfolio allows Baxalta to expand its presence in the oncology community, including the development of new formulations and new indications.
Baxalta CEO and president Ludwig Hantson said: "Our focus at Baxalta is building on our rich expertise and capabilities in orphan diseases and complex therapeutics to address significant unmet needs for patients with a variety of challenging diseases, including leukaemia."
"With the addition of Oncasper, a very well-recognised and effective component of standard chemotherapy, we’re now positioned to introduce innovation in areas where the community is still seeking meaningful new solutions."
Oncasper is a biologic cancer therapy that is used as a component of multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the first-line treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
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By GlobalDataIt is also used to treat patients with ALL and hypersensitivity to native forms of L-asparaginase.
Oncasper received approval in the US as a first line treatment and select European countries as a second line option.
The drug is currently under centralised marketing authorisation review with the European Medicines Agency and available in the US, Germany, Poland, and certain other countries.
Baxalta comprises broad and diverse pipeline, including biologics with novel mechanisms and advanced technology platforms such as gene therapy. Its therapies are available in around 100 countries.
Image: Bone marrow smear from a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Photo: courtesy of Furfur.
