Eli Lilly and Company has received FDA approval for CYRAMZAâ„¢ (ramucirumab) as a single-agent treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy. With this approval, CYRAMZA becomes the first FDA-approved treatment for patients in this setting.

CYRAMZA is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Receptor 2 antagonist that specifically binds VEGF Receptor 2 and blocks binding of VEGF receptor ligands VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. VEGF Receptor 2 is an important mediator in the VEGF pathway. In an in vivo animal model, ramucirumab inhibited angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is a process by which new blood vessels form to supply blood to normal healthy tissues as well as tumors, enabling the cancer to grow.   

Eli Lilly acquired CYRAMZA from its 2008 acquisition of ImClone Systems CYRAMZA had been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for this indication.

Source: Eli Lilly