FDA approves J&J’s Rybrevant Faspro for head and neck cancer

FDA approves J&J’s Rybrevant Faspro for head and neck cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to Johnson & Johnson’s Rybrevant Faspro for certain adults with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

HNSCC is the most common type of head and neck cancer and can develop in areas including the mouth, throat, voice box and nasal cavity.

The treatment is intended for patients whose cancer has continued to progress after platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

How does it work?

Rybrevant targets two proteins, EGFR and MET, which can help cancer cells grow and spread. By blocking both pathways, the therapy aims to reduce signals that drive tumour growth.

Rybrevant Faspro is administered as a subcutaneous injection, unlike the original intravenous formulation of Rybrevant.

In the clinical trial supporting the approval, 42% of patients responded to treatment. Among those who responded, 56% maintained their response for more than six months.

Why does this matter? Treatment options can become limited when head and neck cancer returns or spreads after previous therapies. Rybrevant Faspro provides an additional targeted treatment option for these patients.

This is the first FDA-approved use of Rybrevant Faspro outside lung cancer.

Source: Pharmaceutical Technology / Johnson & Johnson