FDA Approves Jakafi to Treat Patients With Chronic Type of Bone Marrow Disease

The Food and Drug Administration Dec. 4 approved a new use for Jakafi (ruxolitinib) to treat patients with polycythemia vera, a chronic type of bone marrow disease.

Jakafi, which is marketed by Wilmington, Del.-based Incyte Corp., already is approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with another bone marrow disorder called myelofibrosis 9 PLIR 1450, 11/18/11.

Jakafi is the first drug approved by the FDA for polycythemia vera, the agency said. Polycythemia vera occurs when too many red blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Patients also may experience an increase in white blood cells and ...