Roche and GSK get Bonviva European marketing approval

Roche and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have announced today that their joint venture on Bonviva has been given European approval.

The intravenous osteoporosis drug for postmenopausal women has already been approved in the US and is a variation of its current oral version.

As a monthly oral tablet, bisphosphate-based Bonviva is sold in 38 countries but a minority of women cannot take it orally.

A “delighted” William Burns of Roche said: “Physicians throughout Europe will now be able to treat more women with a bisphosphonate, taking advantage of the proven bone strengthening benefits of this therapeutic class.”

Approval comes after two years of study into the safety of the injections of the drug that is already popular and quite successful in its treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Women who will take the new injections will have to visit healthcare professionals quarterly to receive the treatment.

Marketing authorisation for the EU follows American approval in January and should help more women than before to receive treatment for osteoporosis.

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