Erdafitinib

Erdafitinib is a small molecule inhibitor of FGFR approved for treatment of cancer and marketed under the name Balversa. FGFRs are a subset of tyrosine kinases which are unregulated in some tumors and influence tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell survival. Astex Pharmaceuticals discovered the drug and licensed it to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for further development. Erdafitinib is a small molecule inhibitor of FGFR approved for treatment of cancer and marketed under the name Balversa. FGFRs are a subset of tyrosine kinases which are unregulated in some tumors and influence tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell survival. Astex Pharmaceuticals discovered the drug and licensed it to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for further development. Researchers have investigated erdafitinib for safety and efficacy in treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and esophageal cancer. In March 2018, erdafitinib was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of urothelial cancer. In April 2019, erdafitinib was granted approval by the FDA for treatment of metastatic or locally advanced bladder cancer with an FGFR3 or FGFR2 alteration that has progressed beyond traditional platinum-based therapies, subject to a confirmatory trial.