European Commission approves Reblozyl to treat myelodysplastic syndromes and transfusion-dependent anemia associated with beta thalassemia.- BMS + Acceleron Pharma

Bristol Myers Squibb and Acceleron Pharma Inc. announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Reblozyl (luspatercept) for the treatment of: 1. Adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to very low-, low- and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with ring sideroblasts, who had an unsatisfactory response or are ineligible for erythropoietin-based therapy. 2. Adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia associated with beta thalassemia. "Dependence on blood transfusions caused by anemia in hematologic malignancies like MDS can often mean frequent and lengthy hospital visits, which can pose additional health risks and affect patients’ quality of life,” said Uwe Platzbecker, M.D., lead investigator of the MEDALIST study, Head of Clinic and Policlinic for Hematology and Cell Therapy, Leipzig University Hospital. “Today’s approval of Reblozyl provides healthcare professionals with a new therapy that has been shown to significantly reduce the number of red blood cell transfusions needed by MDS patients and, in some cases, helped them to achieve transfusion independence.”