Lung cancer drug on fast-track to FDA approval

[CindyA]

KUSA - A lung cancer drug produced by Boulder-based company is on the fast-track for FDA approval.

Monday afternoon the FDA announced it granted Clovis Oncology 'breakthrough therapy' status for one of its treatments. The drug, known as CO-1686, treats Stage 4 lung cancer. It's been effective in clinical trials on patients for which other therapies have not worked or produced severe side effects.

The 'breakthrough therapy' designation stems from a provision written by Sen. Michael Bennet (D), which passed congress in 2012. It puts some life-saving drugs on pace to get faster approval from the FDA, while maintaining safety, if they show dramatic results in early clinical trials.

"Today we see a great example in Colorado of a company that's seizing the future. That's growing. That's paying good wages. And that's saving people along the way," Bennet said.

Bennet says since the bill passed more than 40 drugs, treating everything from Hepatitis C to cystic fibrosis, have been put on the fast track to FDA approval.

(KUSA-TV © 2014 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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