The EU's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the use of Eisai's Lenvima (Lenvatinib mesylate) drug for treating adults with progressive, locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer, and who are resistant to radioactive iodine treatment.

The results of a phase III study showed that Lenvima produced a rapid response from patients and significantly extended their survival rates. The recommendation comes one month after the US approved the drug under the same licence.

The drug is currently under regulatory review in Switzerland, Russia, Canada, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea and Australia. It was approved in Japan for treating unresectable thyroid cancer last week.

Thyroid cancer affects more than 52,000 people in Europe each year. Although treatment is possible for most types of thyroid cancer, there are few options available once it has progressed.

Meanwhile, Eisai is currently conducting clinical studies of Lenvima in several other types of cancer, including renal, lung and endometrial.