FDA Approves Exelixis’s Cometriq To Treat Rare Type of Thyroid Cancer

The Food and Drug Administration Nov. 29 approved Cometriq (cabozantinib) to treat medullary thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized).

Cometriq is a kinase inhibitor that blocks abnormal kinase proteins involved in the development and growth of medullary cancer cells, the agency said. The drug is marketed by Exelixis Inc., which is based in South San Francisco, Calif.

“Cometriq is the second drug approved to treat medullary thyroid cancer in the past two years and reflects FDA’s commitment to the development and approval of drugs for treating rare diseases,” said Richard Pazdur, director of the ...