A generic equivalent to Gleevec, imatinib mesylate tablets that treat chronic myeloid leukemia, will now be available in the U.S. for multiple purposes approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Gleevec is manufactured by Jerusalem-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, who brought in more than $19 billion in revenue in 2015, the company said in a statement.
The generic tablets can treat leukemia in adults and children that are Philadelphia chromosome positive. It can be used for when the disease has recurred or does not respond to other treatment methods. It’s generally used as the first treatment for children after the disease is diagnosed.
It can also treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors, systemic mastocytosis and neoplasms.
Senior Writer
As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.