The development of drugs to prevent cancer has lagged far behind the development of drugs, such as the statins, to prevent cardiovascular disease. But consideration of new, "personalised" clinical trial designs and an improved understanding of the biology of precancers, as well as new agents which target their molecular abnormalities, may make the field a more promising investment, says Malini Guha.

The CHMP has recommended for European approval Pfizer's Xiapex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture, a potentially debilitating hand condition.

Taiho Pharmaceutical's oral chemotherapy drug Teysuno (S-1) has been recommended for European approval by the CHMP for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (in combination with cisplatin), representing the first regulatory milestone for Taiho outside of Asia.