Xspray Pharma AB (publ) has received a decision from the US Food and Drug Administration granting drug candidate XS004 (dasatinib) Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The FDA decision is based on the potential that XS004 may be clinically superior to other drugs already approved for the same indication. Xspray Pharma's product candidate may provide a major contribution to patient treatment due to the gastric pH-resistant qualities of the formulation and the significant frequency of concomitant use of acid-reducing agents in the ALL population.

In June of this year, the FDA granted orphan drug designation status for XS004 (dasatinib) for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). XS004 is Xspray Pharma's first product candidate currently undergoing FDA review for market approval. The FDA grants orphan drug designation status to potential new drug candidates intended for the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of rare diseases or disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.