The United Kingdom approves Zepzelca® (lurbinectedin) by PharmaMar in combination with atezolizumab for first-line maintenance treatment of small cell lung cancer

With this new approval, the treatment is now already available in 21 territories. PharmaMar (MSE: PHM) announced today that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted approval in the United Kingdom for Zepzelca® (lurbinectedin) in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) as a first-line maintenance treatment for adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), whose disease has not progressed following first-line induction therapy with atezolizumab, carboplatin, and etoposide. This approval is based on the results of the Phase III IMforte trial.[1] According to the National Lung Cancer Audit (NLCA), 37,750 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in England only in 2023. Since small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 15% of all lung cancer cases, this would correspond to roughly to 5,700 SCLC cases annually[2]. With this authorization, the United Kingdom joins the list of the territories where this combination has been approved, bringing the total number to 21, including the European Union (EU) and the United States. [1] Efficacy and safety of first-line maintenance therapy with lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (IMforte): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 trial – The Lancet [2] National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NATCAN). National Lung Cancer Audit State of the Nation 2025: An audit of care received by people diagnosed with lung cancer in England and Wales during 2023. London: Royal College of Surgeons of England; 2025.

The release as fetched from its publisher. pharmamar.com ↗