Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan; President and Representative Director: Gyo Sagara; “ONO”) today announced that it has launched Adlumiz® (generic name: anamorelin hydrochloride) Tablet 50mg (“Adlumiz”), a ghrelin receptor agonist, for the treatment of cancer cachexia in malignant tumors of non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer or colorectal cancer in Japan.

　Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic disorder syndrome, characterized by decreased body weight (especially decreased muscle mass) and anorexia associated with cancer. It has been well documented that cancer cachexia causes a significant impact on patients’ quality of life (QOL) and prognosis. However, no drug was approved in Japan for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

　Adlumiz is a selective, novel, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist. Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide primarily secreted by the stomach. Upon binding to its receptor, ghrelin stimulates multiple pathways in the positive regulation of body weight, muscle mass, appetite and metabolism. Adlumiz has shown effects in increasing body weight and muscle mass, as well as appetite in patients with cancer cachexia.

　With the launch of Adlumiz this time, we believe that a new treatment option can be provided to patients with cancer cachexia who have no treatment method in Japan and contribute to improving the QOL in these patient populations.

Overview of Adlumiz® Tablet 50 mg

Product photograph

About the ONO and Helsinn Collaboration

　In accordance with a license agreement in force with Helsinn Healthcare SA (a company of the Helsinn Group), ONO has exclusive rights to develop and commercialize anamorelin hydrochloride in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Helsinn retains full rights in the rest of the world.