Sayre Therapeutics announces DaunoXome named patient program in India

Bangalore: Sayre Therapeutics on Monday announced the establishment of a Named Patient Program for DaunoXome (liposomal daunorubicin) for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, under an exclusive distribution arrangement with Galen Limited. DaunoXome is an anti-cancer medicine (a cytotoxic agent) that belongs to a group of medicines called anthracyclines. A Named Patient Program is a mechanism through which physicians can legally and ethically prescribe drugs which are not yet approved in a specific country, in line with local country regulations.

The active substance of DaunoXome is daunorubicin. DaunoXome is a special formulation of daunorubicin (in liposome form), which is used to treat a type of cancer known as Kaposi's sarcoma. Kaposi's sarcoma is a form of cancer that mainly affects the skin, but which can also affect the lungs and intestines. DaunoXome reduces the growth of these tumour cells. DaunoXome is used for the treatment of a severe form of Kaposi’s sarcoma in patients with AIDS.

A Sayre Therapeutics company spokesperson stated, "We are committed to improving patient access to liposomal daunorubicin in a legal and ethical manner. Our agreement with Galen provides a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and patients who are unsatisfied with their current approved treatment options to access liposomal daunorubicin on a named-patient basis."

David Bennett, Managing Director of Galen Limited, stated, “We are delighted to have established this partnership with Sayre Therapeutics for India and the SAARC countries. This agreement provides an important additional option for clinicians in these countries, who are treating patients with advanced HIV-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.”