Erytech discontinues Graspa's leukemia program, shifts focus to solid tumors

Erytech Pharma S.A. (Euronext:ERYP; NASDAQ:ERYP) discontinued development of Graspa eryaspase to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including the withdrawal of a resubmitted MAA, to focus instead on solid tumor indications where it sees larger market opportunities.

The company cited the "rapidly changing and increasingly competitive landscape" for newly approved ALL treatment options as the reason for stopping the ALL program of Graspa, which comprises L-asparaginase encapsulated in red blood cells. On a conference call, Chairman and CEO Gil Beyen said FDA and EMA provided feedback suggesting there would be "little room left" for a new asparaginase to treat ALL, and that continued development in the indication would require additional clinical trials...