European Commission approves marketing of Celgene drug

BOUDRY, Switzerland The European Commission has approved the marketing of a cancer drug by Celgene International Sarl, the Swiss biotech company announced Tuesday.

 The company described Vidaza (azacitidine) as the first epigenetic cancer therapy to significantly extend survival for patients with intermediate-2 and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. 

"The European Commission approval of Vidaza is recognition of the significant survival benefited afforded by this therapy for critical hematological malignancies," Celgene Europe president Philippe Van Holle.

"We will now begin working with local regulatory authorities on a country-by-country basis for reimbursement and distribution for all European Union member states."