Japan's Solasia Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Asia, has officially announced that Sancuso (Granisetron Transdermal System) has been approved for launch by the China National Drug Administration (CNDA).

Sancuso is the world’s first and only transdermal patch of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens. It provides chemotherapy patients with a persistently effective new noninvasive drug delivery system for the prevention of nausea and vomiting.

The chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most common and most painful adverse reactions during the chemotherapy process of cancer patients. According to statistics, without any anti-emetic measures, 70%-80% of chemotherapy patients would experience CINV1 . CINV lowers patients’ quality of life, causes metabolic disorders, malnutrition, weight reduction and fear for chemotherapy, and reduces their treatment compliance.

In severe cases, patients will have to be treated with reduced dosage or even withdrawn from chemotherapy, with negative impacts on the treatment outcomes. The newly-approved 5-HT3 receptor antagonist transdermal system features a skeletal structure and is originated by ProStrakan Inc., US.

The patch can be attached by patients to the outer side of their arm. Depending on different chemotherapy courses, it can be used for up to 7 days and can meet the needs of patients with anticipatory nausea and vomiting or acute/delayed nausea and vomiting in different stages.

As the only 5-HT3 receptor antagonist transdermal system, Sancuso was first approved for launch in the U.S. in 2008. Since 2011, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 5 /American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 6 have recommended Sancuso in their antiemetic guidelines.

Yoshihiro Arai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Solasia, said: “ We have always focused on the patients, and striven to develop innovative products to treat cancer and support cancer treatment.  The approval of Sancuso will help Solasia to deliver its unwavering commitment to Chinese patients. All of team members will continue to work hard to meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals and embrace new challenges going forward.”