WSAW - Health - Headlines

FDA Approves First Drug for Bone Marrow Disorder

By: Associated Press
Posted: Wed 12:15 PM, Nov 16, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration says it has approved the first drug for a rare disorder that causes red blood cells to build up inside patients' bone marrow.

Jakafi, a twice-a-day pill from Incyte Corp., was approved to treat myelofibrosis, which causes anemia, fatigue, pain and swelling of the spleen. The drug works by blocking two enzymes associated with the disease.

Jakafi is the first drug to reach the market from Wilmington, Delaware-based Incyte. The company partnered with Swiss drugmaker Novartis, which holds foreign marketing rights to the drug. Incyte shares rose 6 cents to $12.66 in morning trading.

The FDA reviewed the drug under its priority review program for important new therapies, which aims to clear drugs in six months instead of the usual 10.

Side effects reported in patients taking the drug included diarrhea, headache, dizziness and nausea.


All comments must adhere to the WSAW.com discussion rules.
powered by Disqus
Aspirus Health Beat 7 helps you make better health care decisions with news about the latest medical breakthroughs, research and technology. Tune in for information about exciting new care options you and your family can access right here in central Wisconsin through Aspirus doctors, services and the Wausau Hospital.

May 14, 2012
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease Healthbeat: Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

May 21, 2012
TAVR - A Revolutionary New Procedure Healthbeat: TAVR - A Revolutionary New Procedure

WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave. Wausau, WI 54403
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 133973483