Merck’s Erbitux expands indication in China

Merck’s drug Erbitux, also known as cetuximab, can now be a first-line option for treating a form of head and neck cancer in China, following its expanded approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The agency gave the drug the green light for the indication after approving Erbitux last September as a first-line treatment for patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

In a Phase 3 trial, CHASE II, patients with recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma had better survival outcomes when they received Erbitux in addition to chemotherapy, compared to patients who received chemotherapy alone.

The drug is marketed by Eli Lilly in the U.S. and Canada.