FDA approves Egaten for fascioliasis in US patients

The FDA recently approved Egaten for the treatment of patients aged 6 years or older with fascioliasis in the United States, according to a press release.

Fascioliasis, or liver fluke infestation, is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with parasitic flatworm larvae and is estimated to affect 2.4 million people around the world. An additional 180 million people are at increased risk for infection.

According to the release, Novartis has been donating Egaten (triclabendazole; Novartis) to WHO since 2005. Approximately 2 million patients have been treated using this 1-day medication through WHO in more than 30 countries.

“This FDA decision is welcome news for millions who suffer or are at risk for fascioliasis and removes a major hurdle in expanding treatment to countries where it is most needed,” Mwelecela Malecela, PhD, director of the department of control of neglected tropical diseases at WHO, said in the release. “We are thankful to Novartis for their sustained decade-long commitment in tackling yet another disease of poverty.”

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, added that the approval of Egaten could expand global access and improve the likelihood of disease elimination. – by Katherine Bortz