Astellas Pharma announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug and pediatric exclusivity to CRESEMBA (isavuconazonium sulfate) for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and invasive mucormycosis (IM) in pediatric patients. On December 8, 2023, CRESEMBA for injection was approved for pediatric patients 1 year of age and older and capsules for pediatric patients 6 years of age and older who weigh 16 kilograms (kg) and greater. 

The FDA grants orphan drug exclusivity to orphan drugs that receive FDA marketing approval. As the first company to obtain FDA approval for the treatment of IA and IM in patients as young as one for a triazole antifungal, Astellas has received orphan drug exclusivity, which provides seven years of exclusive marketing rights for CRESEMBA in those indications beginning from the date of approval of the supplemental New Drug Application on Dec. 8, 2023. Pediatric exclusivity extends that period by another six months. The FDA previously granted orphan drug exclusivity for CRESEMBA in 2015 for the treatment of IA and IM in adults.

Laura Kovanda, PhD, Executive Director, Asset Lead, BioPharma Development, Astellas, said: "Astellas recognizes the importance of addressing significant unmet medical needs, especially for pediatric patients with rare and potentially life-threatening IA and IM infections. I am incredibly proud of the Astellas team for advancing research, development and commercialization to offer CRESEMBA to pediatric patients who have limited treatment options."

CRESEMBA is the only azole antifungal therapy FDA approved for the treatment of IA and IM in patients as young as one.