- The European Medicines Agency designates Loxo Oncology's (NASDAQ:LOXO) lead product candidate LOXO-101 an Orphan Drug for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma, a rare cancer that originates in connective or supportive tissues such as cartilage, fat, muscle and blood vessels.
- LOXO-101 inhibits a group of enzymes called tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRK), a group of proteins that play a key role in cellular communications. Cancers hijack these communication pathways to send messages the cells to grow, change or survive. Those characterized by these alterations, termed NTRK fusions, are the therapeutic targets for LOXO-101.
- Among the benefits of Orphan Drug status in Europe is a 10-year period of market exclusivity for the indication, if approved.