Nausea and vomiting, common side effects of chemotherapy, may soon be a thing of the past. Heron Therapeutics’drug Sustol significantly reduced symptoms in patients participating in
late stage trials, according to the company. The stock jumped more than
60% on the news in part because the study showed the drug works longer
than current treatments.
Eight out of every 10 people treated for cancer using chemotherapy
experience waves of nausea, according to the American Cancer Society.
Many patients suffer in the days following chemotherapy after initial
treatments wear off.
CEO Barry Quart stated, “Went after an area of
unmet medical needs,” adding that the drug can ward off the effects of
chemo for up to five days following treatment, longer than rivals. “We
feel very good that we have been able to differentiate our product.” He
believes Sustol is more effective than the current leading drug Aloxi,
made by Helsinn Healthcare S.A.
Sustol, which is part of a three-drug regime, is injected about 30
minutes before chemotherapy and is typically administered in oncology
centers.
Quart said the company will file an application for approval with the
Food and Drug Administration(FDA) in a “couple of months.” From that
date, the FDA could issue a decision in as little as six months. If
approved, Quart says the company can have the drug available in a month
or two and plans to hire a new team of sales reps nationally.
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