AstraZeneca new tablet formulation of Calquence gets USFDA okay

John C. Byrd, MD, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati said, "Patients with blood cancers like chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma are often older and may face multiple medical conditions that may need intervention, including acid reflux or peptic ulcer disease. The US approval of acalabrutinib in a tablet form enables co-administration of the acalabrutinib tablet alongside a proton pump inhibitor. This provides another option for some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma, enabling more patients to potentially benefit from this treatment."

Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca said, "The approval of the new Calquence tablet formulation will offer physicians and patients increased flexibility when devising treatment plans for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma. This new option is a result of our focus on understanding the wants and needs of this community and providing patient-focused solutions for their treatment."

Calquence is also approved as a capsule formulation for the same indications as the tablet in the US and in many other countries worldwide.3 Indications may vary by market.