Breaking News on Rare Disease Day -- FDA Approves Xermelo™ (telotristat ethyl)
On February 28, 2017, Rare Disease Day, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xermelo™ (telotristat ethyl), the first and only approved oral therapy for carcinoid syndrome diarrhea that targets overproduction of serotonin inside neuroendocrine tumor cells, providing a new treatment option for patients whose carcinoid syndrome diarrhea is inadequately controlled by somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy.
According to Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, "Xermelo will be available by prescription, in a 250mg oral tablet, beginning on or about March 1. In an effort to ensure all appropriate patients have access to fast and affordable treatment, Lexicon has launched LexCares – a comprehensive program designed to guide patients through each step of their treatment journey. Through the LexCares Specialty Pharmacy, patients will have access to financial assistance programs that may reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs associated with their Xermelo prescription. For additional information, please visit www.xermelo.com/lexcares.
