Latest News
Listen
Listen
Photo: Bjoertvedt · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Astra Zeneca Mölndal IMG 2892 · Own work · Resized; thumbnails may be cropped. Adaptations under the same license.

CHMP October Decisions: Key Drug Updates

The European Medicines Agency’s committee made eight major rulings, including AstraZeneca withdrawing a prostate cancer filing and new approvals for glioblastoma and obesity treatments.

19 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI

#AstraZeneca #Orphelia #Ascendis #Sobi #Pfizer #Lilly

Every month the European Medicines Agency’s Committee on Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) decides which medicines can be marketed in the EU. In its October meeting, it issued eight rulings that will affect patients across Europe. The decisions covered a range of conditions from prostate cancer to rare bone growth disorders.

AstraZeneca withdrew its application to use Truqap, a drug that blocks the protein AKT, in PTEN‑deficient metastatic hormone‑sensitive prostate cancer after the FDA approved it in June. Pfizer later withdrew its bid to expand Ibrance as maintenance therapy for hormone‑positive, HER2‑positive advanced breast cancer following EMA questions about the trial data. Both withdrawals mean that the drugs will not be available for those indications in Europe.

Withdrawals of Truqap and Ibrance

Orphelia Pharma received a positive opinion for Kizfizo, a liquid form of temozolomide, for newly diagnosed glioblastoma and for malignant glioma in children and adults. Ascendis Pharma gained approval for Yuviwel, a weekly injection that releases C‑type natriuretic peptide to promote bone growth in children with achondroplasia. Sobi secured backing to extend Tryngolza, an RNA‑targeting drug, into severe hypertriglyceridemia, potentially covering around 700,000 patients across the biggest European markets.

Revolution Medicines obtained a positive opinion for Rasonque, an oral RAS inhibitor that extended median overall survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer from 6.7 to 12.4 months in a 500‑patient Phase 3 study. Eli Lilly received CHMP endorsement for Foundayo, a small‑molecule GLP‑1 receptor agonist that can be taken orally once daily for weight management and type 2 diabetes, offering competition in Europe’s growing obesity market.

A positive CHMP opinion is not a marketing authorization; the European Commission will review the recommendations and decide on approvals. The decisions will shape treatment options for patients with cancer, rare diseases and metabolic conditions, and may influence competition among pharmaceutical companies in the EU.

Back

European Biotechnology Magazine

Report something about this article