Fostamatinib: First Global Approval

Abstract

Rigel Pharmaceuticals are developing the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor fostamatinib (TAVALISSE™) as a treatment for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and IgA nephropathy. Based on positive results in the phase III FIT clinical trial program, the drug was recently approved in the US as a treatment for thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of fostamatinib leading to this first approval.