Oncology medicine company Chugai Pharmaceutical has secured approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to expand the use of its anti-cancer drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab) to treat unresectable thymic carcinoma.  

The drug had previously received orphan drug designation for this rare cancer on March 31, 2025, and underwent Priority Review following Chugai’s application on May 14, 2025. 

“We are very pleased to be able to deliver Tecentriq as a new treatment option for unresectable thymic carcinoma. Effective treatment options for this disease are limited, and new therapies have been highly anticipated.  

"We will continue our efforts to provide information on the proper use of Tecentriq to contribute to the patients with thymic carcinoma,” said Chugai President and CEO, Dr Osamu Okuda. 

The approval follows results from Japan’s investigator-initiated phase II MARBLE study, which tested Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as a first-line therapy for patients with unresectable thymic carcinoma, demonstrating both efficacy and safety.