Evista gets FDA approval for new use to reduce breast cancer risk

INDIANAPOLIS The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new application for Eli Lilly’s osteoporosis drug Evista. The drug is now indicated as a way to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer.

The drug’s new use is designed for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer. “The FDA’s decision marks a major milestone. For the first time, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis will have one treatment option that can help address two leading health concerns—osteoporosis and invasive breast cancer,” said Gwen Krivi, vice president of Lilly Research Laboratories.

The approval comes less than a year after the application was submitted to the FDA and also carries a recommendation of the Oncologics Drug Advisory Committee.