BioSante Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation for its Melanoma Cancer Vaccine
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- Category: Vaccines
- Published on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 02:00
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BioSante Pharmaceuticals announced the receipt of Orphan Drug designation for its Melanoma Cancer Vaccine in the treatment of stage IIb to IV melanoma, from the FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL, USA | January 25, 2011 | BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPAX - News) today announced the receipt of Orphan Drug designation for its Melanoma Cancer Vaccine in the treatment of stage IIb to IV melanoma, from the FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Orphan drug designation, as granted by the U.S. Orphan Drug Act, is for a product to treat a rare disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. Orphan drug designation qualifies the sponsor of the product for tax credits and seven years of marketing exclusivity, among other benefits.
The orphan drug designation for the Melanoma Cancer Vaccine is BioSante’s fourth orphan drug designation for BioSante’s portfolio of cancer vaccines; the company also has received orphan drug designations for its vaccines to treat pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia.
“We continue to develop our vaccine portfolio in cooperation with the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center,” said Stephen M. Simes, president and chief executive officer of BioSante. “Clinical trials of our cancer vaccines are being conducted to treat leukemia, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer, among other cancer types. In addition, we expect to report on pancreatic cancer study results in the near future.”
It is estimated that, in the U.S., over 68,000 people were diagnosed with and 8,700 died of melanoma in 2010. While it is more common in Caucasian populations living in sunny climates, it can be found in almost any groups, including those who use tanning salons. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, however, if it is recognized and treated early, it is nearly 100 percent curable. But if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes difficult to treat and can be fatal. While it is not the most common of the skin cancers, it causes the most deaths.
About BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
BioSante is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing products for female sexual health and oncology. BioSante’s lead products include LibiGel® (transdermal testosterone gel) for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) which is in Phase III clinical development under a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Special Protocol Assessment. BioSante also is developing a portfolio of cancer vaccines, four of which have been granted Orphan Drug designation, and are currently in several Phase II clinical trials. Other products in development are Bio-T-Gel™, a testosterone gel for male hypogonadism licensed to Teva Pharmaceuticals and an oral contraceptive in Phase II clinical development using BioSante patented technology. The company also is seeking opportunities for its other technologies. Additional information is available online at: www.biosantepharma.com.
SOURCE: BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc.