Abi Comes Home

Abiraterone Acetate (Zytiga) is now available on NHS prescription in the Royal Marsden Hospital where it was first discovered 22 years ago by Professor Gerry Potter in the adjoining Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) CRC Cancer Drug Development Laboratories. The medicinal chemistry research laboratory relocated from Fulham Road where it was known as the Chester Beatty Laboratories. So to keep up the tradition all new drug molecules emerging from the ICR are given CB numbers. Upon discovery this new pharmaceutical compound (later named Zytiga) was first known by its chemical name 17-(3-Pyridyl)androsta-5,16-dien-3beta-ol, and by its Chester Beatty lab registry number CB-7630. Upon aquisition by BTG CB-7630 was given the name Abiraterone Acetate which was known as "Abi" for short.

BTG licensed Abiraterone Aceate to Cougar Biotechnology who liked the number CB-7630 since it matched their own initials of CB. Cougar Biotech then conducted the key clinical trials COU-AA-301 for use following chemotherapy and later the COU-AA-302 trial of Abiraterone Acetate for use before chemotherapy.

Having secured evidence for the safety and efficacy of Abiraterone Acetate in clinical trials Cougar Biotechnology was taken over by Johnson & Johnson. This company filed for FDA approval which was granted in April 2011 and began marketing the drug as "Zytiga". The european medicines agency EMA followed suit approving Abiraterone Acetate for use after chemotherapy throughout europe in Sept 2011.

In June 2012 the UK regulatory authority NICE recommends Abiraterone Acetate for use on the NHS which allows UK cancer patients to receive the drug free on prescription.

Now at the start of 2013 Abiraterone Acetate (Zytiga) is finally available in the Royal Marsden Hospital for prescription use on the NHS to prostate cancer patients who have failed chemotherapy.

So Abi comes home...