China approves Lynparza in ovarian cancer

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) said China’s State Drug Administration approved Lynparza olaparib for maintenance therapy of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Merck said the drug is the first targeted therapy approved in China for the indication.

The PARP inhibitor was approved nine months after its application was accepted. Lynparza is one of 48 internationally approved drugs identified this month by China’s Drug Evaluation Center as eligible for Priority Review (see “China Releases List of Overseas Drugs Eligible for Priority Review”)...