The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has been formally notified by Celgene Europe Limited of its decision to withdraw its application for the centrally authorised medicine Revlimid (lenalidomide)  for an extension of the therapeutic indication in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and for the addition of new pack sizes.

In its official letter, the company stated that it decided to withdraw its application for the extension of indication for Revlimid and the addition of new pack sizes because the CHMP considers that additional, more mature data are required for it to reach a clear benefit-risk conclusion. The company retains the application for the two new strengths.

On 24 December 2010, Celgene Europe Limited submitted an application for a variation of the marketing authorisation for Revlimid to extend the indication to maintenance treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who have not progressed following initial treatment with melphalan, prednisone and Revlimid or following autologous stem cell transplantation.

This variation was part of a grouped application that also included applications for two new strengths and a variation to add new pack sizes of seven capsules for the existing 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg strengths. At the time of the withdrawal, the applications were under review by the Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

Revlimid was first authorised in the European Union on 14 June 2007 and it is currently indicated in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy.

Revlimid continues to be authorised in the currently approved indication.