(Sharecast News) - Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the use of belantamab mafodotin-blmf (BLENREP) in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
GlaxoSmithKline highlighted on Thursday that the approval of BLENREP, a first-in-class anti-B-cell maturation antigen therapy for patients whose disease has progressed, despite prior treatment with an immunomodulatory agent, was its fifth major medicine approval in 2020.
The FTSE 100-listed firm did note that continued approval for the drug may be contingent upon verification and description of the clinical benefits of the candidate in confirmatory trials.
Dr Hal Barron, GSK's head of research and development, said: "As the second most common form of blood cancer in the US, multiple myeloma is an incurable and devastating disease.
"BLENREP is the first approved anti-BCMA therapy and has the potential to transform the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma who have limited treatment options today."
As of 0910 BST, GSK shares were down 1.07% at 1,556.40p.