Takeda Canada Inc, part of Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) (NYSE:TAK), announced on Monday that Health Canada has granted market authorisation for FRUZAQLA (fruquintinib capsules) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have been previously treated with or are not considered candidates for available standard therapies.

This authorisation was followed by positive reimbursement recommendations from Canada's Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) and Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS).

FRUZAQLA is a selective oral inhibitor of VEGFR -1, -2 and -3. VEGFR inhibitors play a pivotal role in blocking tumour angiogenesis..

Health Canada's decision was supported by data from two Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrating significant improvements in overall survival and progression-free survival compared to placebo.