
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has for zolbetuximab to treat gastric cancer patients.
Zolbetuximab is an investigational monoclonal antibody that acts on Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2). It is intended for use as a first-line therapy for HER2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma that is locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic, with tumours that are CLDN18.2-positive.
Zolbetuximab is the first treatment targeting CLDN18.2 to be offered in the region for such patients.
A decision on the approval by the regulatory agency is anticipated on 12 January 2024.
The application is based on the Phase III SPOTLIGHT and GLOW clinical trial findings.
Zolbetuximab was assessed along with a regimen comprising oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil (mFOLFOX6) in the SPOTLIGHT trial.

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don鈥檛 let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe GLOW trial analysed zolbetuximab in combination with a chemotherapy regimen comprising capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX).
Astellas immuno-oncology development senior vice-president and head Moitreyee Chatterjee-Kishore stated: 鈥淎stellas is committed to bringing innovative therapies to patients with hard-to-treat cancers, including gastric cancer.
鈥淭he FDA鈥檚 acceptance of the biologics licence application filing and priority review designation for zolbetuximab confirms the urgent therapeutic need and brings us one step closer to delivering on this commitment to patients, families and caregivers.鈥
In June 2023, the company filed a聽new drug application with the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare聽for zolbetuximab to treat advanced gastric and gastroesophageal cancer.