Alimta Receives Second Approval This Year From FDA -- MesoLink.org -- 08-31-04

The Food and Drugs Administration has granted the second approval this year to the drug Alimta, hailed earlier this year as a miracle drug in the search for a cure for the deadly disease mesothelioma.

The drug, manufactured by Eli Lilly, was first approved by the FDA earlier this year for use with Cisplatin in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma.

The most recent approval of Alimta by the Food and Drugs Administration is to treat locally advances or meta-static non-small cell lung cancer. This is for patients that have been previously treated for the condition.

Alimta gained its reputation as a wonder drug early this year, after it was first approved by the FDA. This new approval is likely to add to this reputation as well as give more people fresh hope.

Eli Lilly CEO and President, Sidney Taurel, stated:

"Alimta's development is a demonstration of our commitment to patients with cancer and is testament to our emergence as a leader in oncology. With the advances we are making - and will continue to make - via our existing and future oncology products, we are confident that Lilly will emerge as one of the premier oncology companies in the world."

As with the initial approval, the second approval of this drug has been welcomes by experts and patients alike.

Paul Bunn, director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, stated:

"Alimta represents a medical advance in the treatment of lung cancer. The benefits Alimta offers patients are clear, and it is much better tolerated than the current standard, and is conveniently administered."