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Telotristat Ethyl: First Global Approval

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Abstract

Telotristat ethyl (Xermelo™) is a peripheral tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitor that was developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome. Many neuroendocrine tumours secrete serotonin (5-HT) into the blood stream, resulting in a number of symptoms, notably diarrhoea. Telotristat ethyl inhibits TPH, thereby reducing the production of 5-HT. In February 2017, telotristat ethyl was approved in the USA for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhoea in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of telotristat ethyl leading to this first global approval.

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References

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Disclosure

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from any comments received were made by the author on the basis of scientific completeness and accuracy. A. Markham is a contracted employee of Adis, Springer SBM.

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  1. Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Anthony Markham

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  1. Anthony Markham
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Correspondence to Anthony Markham.

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This profile has been extracted and modified from the AdisInsight database. AdisInsight tracks drug development worldwide through the entire development process, from discovery, through pre-clinical and clinical studies to market launch and beyond.

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Markham, A. Telotristat Ethyl: First Global Approval. Drugs 77, 793–798 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-017-0737-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-017-0737-x

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