Teva wins approval for liquid version of cancer drug

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of a cancer drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Teva said Tuesday.

The Israeli drug maker announced the approval of a liquid formulation of Treanda (bendamustine hydrochloride), which it said would eliminate the need for reconstitution.

The drug is used to treat indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with Rituxan (rituximab), which is made by Genentech and Biogen Idec, and in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.