Also known as: BTKi
Swissmedic has authorized three orphan drugs for rare diseases: Breyanzi for mantle cell lymphoma, Alhemo for haemophilia A and B, and Ekterly for hereditary angioedema. The decisions include a new indication extension for Breyanzi, an expanded indication for Alhemo, and the initial authorization of Ekterly as part of a joint international regulatory initiative.
The U.S. FDA has accepted for filing a New Drug Application for tirabrutinib under the accelerated approval pathway for relapsed or refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma, setting a PDUFA action date of December 18, 2026. The submission is supported by Phase 2 PROSPECT study results showing a 67% overall response rate and 44% complete response rate. If approved, tirabrutinib would be the first BTK inhibitor commercially available in the U.S. for this indication.
Key oncology developments include a $315 million partnership between Astellas and Vir for the prostate cancer T-cell engager VIR-5500, with updated phase 1 data showing an 82% PSA50 rate. The FDA accepted a filing for Ono Pharmaceuticals' tirabrutinib seeking accelerated approval in primary central nervous system lymphoma. Research findings also identified a new kidney cancer biomarker and showed promising results for the TRK inhibitor repotrectinib and the breast cancer triple therapy gedatolisib plus palbociclib and fulvestrant.
Cellectar reported 12-month follow-up from the Phase 2b CLOVER WaM trial of iopofosine I 131 in relapsed or refractory Waldenström macroglobulinemia. In 55 patients, ORR was 83.6%, MRR was 61.8% and median duration of response was 17.8 months.
Experts discuss balancing efficacy and safety in BTK inhibitor plus venetoclax combination therapy for CLL, including BTK lead-in strategies to reduce tumor lysis syndrome risk and the benefits of all-oral fixed-duration regimens.
Ascentage Pharma said six clinical abstracts were selected for ASCO 2026 and four preclinical studies will be presented at AACR 2026. The presentations feature olverembatinib and other pipeline candidates.
Novartis announced positive European regulatory opinion for remibrutinib in chronic spontaneous urticaria and reported the drug met its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 trial for chronic inducible urticaria.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has granted orphan drug designation to Sanofi's rilzabrutinib for IgG4-related disease, marking the third global orphan designation for this indication based on positive phase 2 study data.
AstraZeneca's CALQUENCE received FDA approval as the first all-oral, fixed-duration regimen for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, while the EMA validated the marketing authorization application for ENHERTU in HER2-positive breast cancer treatment.
The FDA accepted a new drug application for tirabrutinib to treat relapsed or refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma, with a decision expected December 18, 2026. The application is supported by phase 2 trial data showing a 67% overall response rate.
