European Commission Approves Genzyme's Mozobil

The European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Genzyme Corporation’s (Cambridge, MA) Mozobil (plerixafor injection) for patients with the blood cancers lymphoma and multiple myeloma who require an autologous stem cell transplant.

In Europe, Mozobil is indicated in combination with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to enhance the mobilization of stem cells to the bloodstream for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma whose cells mobilize poorly. This indication allows physicians to use Mozobil in the broad group of patients who are at risk of poor mobilization, as well as those who have previously failed conventional treatment. The product has been granted orphan drug status in the European Union and United States.

Mozobil, in combination with G-CSF, is designed to release hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream where they can be collected. After the cells are released into the bloodstream, they are collected in preparation for a transplant. Currently, before a transplant can take place, patients may receive a prescribed dose of chemotherapy and other drugs called growth factors to help mobilize their hematopoietic stem cells into the bloodstream. Approximately 55,000 hematopoietic stem cell transplants are performed each year for multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and other conditions.