Content about Galena Biopharma

March 18, 2013

Galena buys rights to cancer-pain drug from Orexo

Galena Biopharma has purchased rights to a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain from a Swedish drug maker, Galena said Monday.

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. — Galena Biopharma has purchased rights to a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain from a Swedish drug maker, Galena said Monday.

Galena, which specializes in cancer-related drugs, said it acquired Abstral (fentanyl) sublingual tablets for sale and distribution in the United States from Orexo AB. Breakthrough cancer pain, or BTcP, affects between 40% to 80% of cancer patients, with reported episodes of four per day and a median duration of 30 minutes, according to Galena.

February 22, 2013

FDA approves Genentech breast cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for late-stage breast cancer, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for late-stage breast cancer, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Genentech's Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) for HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. HER2 is a protein involved in the growth of normal cells but found in increased amounts in some kinds of cancer cells, which contributes to cancer cell growth and survival. Genentech is the U.S. subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche.