Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc., a largest independent specialty pharmacy, announced that the specialty pharmacy panel has selected the company to distribute Zejula (niraparib) for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Zejula as a once-daily oral maintenance treatment for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum based chemotherapy. Zejula is the first poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor to be approved by the FDA that does not require BRCA mutation or other biomarker testing.

“For women living with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, Zejula (niraparib) offers new hope as a promising treatment option,” said Paul Urick, Diplomat’s president.

Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer are cancers of the tissue covering the ovary or lining the fallopian tube or abdominal wall (peritoneum). According to the American Cancer Society, more than 22,000 women will be diagnosed with these cancers in 2017. Combined, cancer of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum are the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in women in the United States.

Zejula is manufactured by Tesaro, Inc. Tesaro anticipates launching Zejula in the United States in late April.