Chemotherapy Drug Companies
Mesothelioma is such a rare cancer – its represents only 0.2 percent of the diagnosed cancers – that researchers conduct relatively few studies on it. As such, the disease is not a priority for must chemotherapy drug companies. So it's not surprising that only a small number of drug companies are in the business of developing chemotherapy medicines to help patients with this asbestos-caused disease.
The most widely used chemotherapy agents for mesothelioma are cisplatin, carboplatin and pemetrexed. Ranpirnase is one of the most promising chemo drugs still in testing. Each of these medications was created by a different biopharmaceutical company such as Eli Lilly and Tamir Biotechnology. Mesothelioma patients are likely to have one or more of these drugs play a role in their cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy, which generally includes a specific combination of intravenous medications, is perhaps the most common treatment for mesothelioma and its related cancers. Almost every patient who elects to have surgery goes through chemotherapy treatment afterward (and sometimes during). And even mesothelioma patients who do not have surgery are almost always candidates for chemo. Extensive clinical trials show these chemotherapy medications extend the life expectancies of mesothelioma patients.
Find out more about chemotherapy drugs and mesothelioma. If you and your doctor are considering chemotherapy, the Mesothelioma Center's free packet contains pertinent information. Complete this form to request your packet and learn more about your treatment options.
Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, making more than $20 billion in annual revenue. It currently employs 40,000 people and distributes pharmaceuticals to 125 countries. The century-old company is responsible for some of today's modern advancements in medicine. Lilly was the first to market insulin for diabetes treatment, the first to mass-produce penicillin and the first to provide medication for clinical depression.
Lilly also created several successful cancer drugs, most notably Alimta. This drug, also known as pemetrexed, is most commonly used in the treatment of mesothelioma but is also proven successful in people battling lung cancer. Alimta is shown to increase survival rates among mesothelioma patients.
Tamir Biotechnology
Tamir Biotechnology is a small, young drug company focused on the development of one specific cancer drug: Onconase, also known as ranpirnase. Tamir was founded in the early 1980s by a biology student researching a protein found in leopard frog eggs. She found that the protein may help inhibit solid tumor growth, and she formed Tamir, formerly Alfacell, so she could continue her research.
Although still in the testing stages, Onconase shows promise in treating mesothelioma and may be helpful in cases of breast cancer, leukemia and renal cell carcinoma. The company's revenue, which mostly consists of grants and funding for Onconase research, totals more than $6 million annually.
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb has operated in the biopharmaceutical industry for more than 150 years and consistently proved to be a global leader in medical research and development. The company's key contribution to mesothelioma treatment was the development of cisplatin and carboplatin. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network states that either of these two drugs, when combined with pemetrexed, provides the best chemotherapy treatment for pleural mesothelioma.
Bristol-Myers Squibb stopped manufacturing cisplatin and carboplatin amid allegations of that it was stifling competition from generic versions of the drugs. The company continues to manufacture the mesothelioma drug paclitaxel under the brand name Taxol. Doctors are optimistic about Taxol's use in mesothelioma and continue its testing.
Other Chemotherapy Drug Companies
A small number of drug companies pay for research and development of chemotherapy drugs, and the number further dwindles when the cancer involved is mesothelioma. That helps to explain the dearth of mesothelioma-specific drugs.
Despite the loss of the brand names, cisplatin and carboplatin are still considered to be standard treatment. Other biopharmaceutical companies that manufacture both drugs include:
Pharmachemie
- This Netherlands-based pharmaceutical company was founded in 1946. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva.
APP Pharmaceuticals
- APP is a small Illinois-based company with 1,800 employees. In addition to cancer drugs, the company also manufactures analgesic, anti-infection and critical care medications.
Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Founded in 1901 in Israel, Teva is a world leader in the pharmaceutical industry. It supplies one out of every five generic prescriptions in the United States.
Bedford Laboratories
- At only 20 years old, Bedford employs 1,400 people and is already making a name for itself in the pharmaceutical industry.
More about Mesothelioma Treatment
Find out more about how these companies and their findings may increase your life span. Get a free overnight copy of the Mesothelioma Center's informational packet, which outlines a number of doctor, cancer center and treatment options.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Monday, May 14th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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