Takeda launches new drug 'Fruzaqla' in Korea

metastatic colorectal cancer treatment

Selectively targets VEGFR-1, 2, 3, and improved overall survival (OS)

New oral targeted treatment for patients undergoing fourth-line or later treatments who have high unmet needs

Product photo of Takeda Pharmaceutical's Fruzaqla

Takeda Pharmaceutical Korea (CEO Kwang-kyu Park) announced on June 16 that the company has officially launched its 'Fruzaqla (fruquintinib)' in South Korea.

 

Fruzaqla is the first new treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.

 

This drug selectively inhibits Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR)-1,2, and 3.

 

It is expected to provide a new treatment option for patients subjecting to fourth-line or later treatment who had limited treatment options previously.

 

According to the 2024 statistics, colorectal cancer is one of the cancer types with prevalence ranking No.2 in South Korea.

 

Approximately 20% of the patients are found to be metastatic at diagnosis.

 

It has been reported that 50-60% of the patients who do not have metastasis during the initial diagnosis experience metastasis to other organs.

 

In such cases, the survival rate is only 20.6%.

 

However, treatment options for third-line treatment and above in metastatic patients are limited.

 

Thus, many patients and doctors have voiced high demands for new treatment options that are effective and less burdening.

 

Fruzaqla is a new treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer that has emerged after over a decade and can be used regardless of specific biomarker status.

 

Fruzaqla was designed to be effective by selectively inhibiting VEGFR-1, 2, and 3.

 

It also minimizes off-targeted toxicity, thereby avoiding unnecessary targets.

 

It has the mechanistic advantage of high-level drug exposure and continuous target inhibition.

 

The efficacy·effectiveness of Fruzaqla has been demonstrated for adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have previously been treated with a chemotherapy containing fluoropyrimidines, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan plus an anti-VEGF or anti-EGFR agent (for patients with wild-type RAS), and whose disease has progressed or who does not show tolerability following treatment with trifluridine/tipiracil and/or regorafenib.

 

The basis of approval was the Phase 3 FRESCO-2 clinical study.

 

The study results showed that the Fruzaqla group had a median overall survival (mOS) of 7.4 months, which was higher than the 4.8 months mOS of the placebo group, and also had a 34% lower mortality risk.

 

Additionally, the Fruzaqla group had a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 3.7 months, more than double the 1.8 months in the placebo group, corresponding to a 68% reduction in disease progression or death risk.

 

Furthermore, Fruzaqla is an oral treatment that can be taken once daily with convenience without complicated mean conditions.

 

It is expected to yield a positive impact on improving quality of life in addition to the treatment effects.

 

Dr.

 

Sang Cheul Oh, Korea University Guro Hospital (Korean Cancer Study Group's Colorectal Cancer Division Head), said, "Metastatic colorectal cancer, despite its high prevalence and aggressiveness, had been the key cancer type with unmet needs due to limited treatment options for fourth-line or later treatments." Dr.

 

Oh added.

 

"Fruzaqla works by selectively inhibiting VEGFR-1, 2, and 3, and is highly effective but reduced toxicity.

 

It will be a significantly meaningful option for patients at later cancer stages who are undergoing fourth-line or later treatments." Kim Mi-seung, Takeda Pharmaceutical's oncology business unit, said, "Fruzaqla is an innovative new drug that can be used regardless of the specific biomarker status, emerged to the metastatic colorectal cancer treatment setting after 10 years, based on the FDA record.

 

It is expected to solve unmet needs for a wide range of patients," and added," Takeda Pharmaceutical will continue to put efforts in providing improved treatment options for Korean patients, including those for metastatic colorectal cancer."