FDA Approves Generic Form of Pemetrexed for Non-Squamous NSCLC

The FDA has granted approval to a generic form of pemetrexed for injection as a single-agent in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has not progressed after 4 cycles of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, according to Nasdaq.

The injection was also granted approval as a single agent to treat recurrent, metastatic non-squamous NSCLC in patients who have received prior chemotherapy. Pemetrexed is a generic salt form of the already approved pemetrexed (Alimta).

Pemetrexed was first approved by the FDA in 2004 in combination with cisplatin to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. Moreover, pemetrexed was the first drug to be granted approval for this disease.

References:

Nasdaq. Teva Pharmaceuticals Unit Actavis Generics Wins FDA Approval for Lung Cancer Drug Pemetrexed. Nasdaq website. Published August 24, 2020. Accessed August 25, 2020. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/teva-pharmaceuticals-unit-actavis-generics-wins-fda-approval-for-lung-cancer-drug