The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novartis' Jadenu (deferasirox) tablets, a new oral formulation of Exjade (deferasirox) tablets for oral suspension, for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients 2 years of age and older, and chronic iron overload in non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia syndromes (NTDT) in patients 10 years of age and older. Jadenu is the only once-daily oral iron chelator that can be swallowed whole.

Many patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia or myelodysplastic syndromes need repeated blood transfusions and consequently, long-term daily chelation therapy. Jadenu oral tablets can be taken in a single step, with or without a light meal, simplifying administration of treatment for chronic iron overload. Exjade is a dispersible tablet that must be mixed in liquid and taken on an empty stomach. Jadenu is approved under accelerated approval based on a reduction of liver iron concentrations and serum ferritin levels. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

"Novartis has had a long-term commitment to improving the lives of patients with chronic iron overload," said Bruno Strigini, president, Novartis Oncology. "Exjade transformed iron chelation therapy. We responded to feedback from patients and their physicians, and now Jadenu, by simplifying treatment administration, offers an important new option to help meet these patients' needs."

Chronic iron overload is a life-threatening cumulative toxicity that results from blood transfusions required to treat sickle cell disease, myelodysplastic syndromes, thalassemia and other conditions. Chronic iron overload also can occur in patients with NTDT due to increased iron absorption in the stomach and intestines. If left untreated, chronic iron overload can damage the liver and heart.

Jadenu contains deferasirox, the same active ingredient that is in Exjade, a medicine that has been used by patients with chronic iron overload for almost 10 years. Exjade currently is the most-prescribed chelator in the United States.

"Jadenu is an exciting development for patients with chronic iron overload who have been eager for alternative treatment options," said Dr. Elliott Vichinsky, director of hematology and oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and Professor, UCSF School of Medicine. "Taking iron chelation therapy every day has sometimes been a challenge for them. The administration of Jadenu oral tablets once a day is simple."  

Novartis has submitted additional regulatory applications for Jadenu in other countries worldwide.

Jadenu is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of chronically elevated levels of iron in the blood caused by repeated blood transfusions (transfusional hemosiderosis) in patients ages 2 years and older. Jadenu is also indicated to treat patients ages 10 years and older who have chronic iron overload resulting from a genetic blood disorder called non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on a reduction of iron levels in the liver (measured by liver iron concentration) and blood (measured by serum ferritin levels). Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. There are ongoing studies to find out how Jadenu works over a longer period of time.

It is not known if Jadenu is safe or effective when taken with other iron chelation therapy. Controlled clinical trials of deferasirox in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (a serious blood disorder) and chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions have not been performed.

In the United States, Jadenu is available by prescription only.

Exjade is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of chronically elevated levels of iron in the blood caused by repeated blood transfusions (transfusional hemosiderosis) in patients ages 2 years and older. Exjade is also indicated to treat patients ages 10 years and older who have chronic iron overload resulting from a genetic blood disorder called non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). In patients Exjade lowered the levels of iron in the blood (measured by serum ferritin levels) and liver (measured by liver iron concentration). An improvement in survival or disease symptoms resulting from reduction in elevated iron levels, however, has not been proven.

In the United States, Exjade is available by prescription only.