Baron and Budd Applauds the Development of a New Drug for the Treatment of ... - MarketWatch

LOS ANGELES, Jul 31, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Baron and Budd is encouraged by the Food and Drug Administration's approval of a new drug for the treatment of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that occurs because of exposure to asbestos. Known as VS-6063, or defactinib, this cancer-stem-cell inhibitor manufactured by Verastem Inc. (VSTM) was given orphan drug designation by the FDA for treatment of mesothelioma.

Orphan drug designations were created by the FDA to assist the development of drugs for rare diseases and conditions that afflict less than 200,000 patients in the U.S. With the orphan drug designation, the new VS-6063 was given a seven-year period of market exclusivity after approval as well as assistance from the FDA in clinical trial design and exemption from FDA user fees.

Verastem Inc. plans to enroll up to 400 patients at clinical studies in 11 countries for its clinical study of VS-6063 in patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma.

"We are pleased with the work of the FDA and Verastem Inc. to improve the lives of those suffering from mesothelioma," said Russell Budd of the national law firm of Baron and Budd. "While the FDA and Verastem Inc. work to help the lives of mesothelioma patients, we will continue to fight to make sure that one day the need for mesothelioma treatment is irrelevant. That means a global ban on asbestos."

To learn more about mesothelioma and what plaintiff's lawyers are doing to help ban asbestos use within the United States, visit http://baronandbudd.com/areas-of-practice/mesothelioma-attorney/.

Baron and Budd is active in asbestos advocacy and mesothelioma education on a national scale. The law firm is a repeat platinum sponsor of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an international non-profit organization dedicated to banning asbestos, supporting patients and making a significant impact on a global scale. Baron and Budd also supports the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the nation's leading cancer treatment centers. With Baron and Budd's financial support, the NCCN was able to produce and distribute the Patient Guidelines for Mesothelioma, a treatment resource based on the Clinical Guidelines for Mesothelioma. Baron and Budd was also an inaugural donor to the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C., with offices in Dallas, Baton Rouge, Austin and Los Angeles, is a nationally recognized law firm with a 35-year history of "Protecting What's Right" for people, communities and businesses harmed by negligence. Baron & Budd's size and resources enable the firm to take on large and complex cases. The firm represents individuals, governmental and business entities in areas as diverse as water contamination, Gulf oil spill, Qui Tam, California Proposition 65 violations, dangerous medications and medical devices, Chinese drywall, insurance claims, consumer fraud, securities fraud and asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma.

http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20130731006736r1&sid=cmtx6&distro=nx

SOURCE: Baron & Budd, P.C.

        
        Baron & Budd 
        Susan Knape, 214-629-0596 
        susan@susanknape.com 
        or 
        Amanda Billo, 214-991-1051 
        abillo@baronbudd.com
        

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