Ariad's potential blockbuster Iclusig gets early FDA OK

After fast-tracking it, the FDA approved Ariad Pharmaceuticals' ($ARIA) closely watched leukemia drug ponatinib today, a product that analysts say could generate blockbuster sales. The FDA said Iclusig, as it is branded, was being approved three months early under its program that gives priority review to drugs where no alternative exists. That is good news for patients and Ariad. Ariad CEO Harvey Berger has said that the drug could bring annual sales of $800 million for patients for whom  previous treatments have failed and hit $1.5 billion with the additional use against new cases. Story | More