• ICLUSIG, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and indicated for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia　Chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), has been launched in Japan as of November 21.
• ICLUSIG is already used in the U.S. and Europe for CML and Ph+ ALL patients who demonstrate resistance or intolerance to an existing TKI treatment and has been awaited by patients in Asia.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has commenced sales as of November 21 in Japan of ICLUSIG^® Tablets 15 mg (ponatinib hydrochloride), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) indicated to treat patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are resistant or intolerant to previous treatments and patients with recurrent or refractory Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).^*1

Although TKIs are used as a first-line treatment for CML and Ph+ ALL, mutation of BCR-ABL genes can develop during the treatment period and indicates resistance to the currently used TKI. In addition, intolerance to the side effects of existing TKI treatments can lead to a discontinuation of treatment.

ICLUSIG, discovered in the U.S. by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a TKI that targets BCR-ABL expressed in CML and Ph+ ALL. This drug is a new chemically synthesized oral TKI, and is specifically designed to inhibit mutated TK caused by a T315I mutation which induces resistance to the currently used TKI. ICLUSIG demonstrates efficacy in CML patients with resistance to or with intolerance to currently available TKIs. ICLUSIG was approved in the U.S. in 2012, in Europe in 2013, and in 2014 Otsuka obtained the rights to commercialize and develop ICLUSIG in ten Asian countries and regions.^*2
ICLUSIG was designated as an orphan drug in Japan and regulatory approval was granted in September 2016. New Drug Applications have been submitted in South Korea and Taiwan.

1. 1Chromosome abnormality seen in CML and Ph+ ALL. Due to translocation of Chromosome 22 and Chromosome 9, genes c-ABL and BCR bind together to form an abnormal protein which causes indefinite proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and leads to leukemia.
2. 2Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, China (including Hong Kong), Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam