Watson gets FDA approval for Trelstar

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Watson Pharmaceuticals drug for treating cancer, Watson announced Thursday.

Watson said Trelstar (triptorelin pamoate) was the “first and only” gonadotropin-releasing hormone that suppresses testosterone production for six months. The FDA approval was for Trelstar in the 22.5-mg strength. Developed by Debiopharm Group, the drug, an injectable, has been available since 2000 in the 3.75-mg and 11.25-mg strengths, which work for one month and three months, respectively.

Watson plans to launch the 22.5-mg formulation in May.