Eagle Pharmaceuticals announced today that the U.S. FDA has granted seven years of orphan drug exclusivity (ODE) in the U.S., for Bendeka (bendamustine hydrochloride injection, or bendamustine HCI), a liquid, low-volume (50 mL) and short-time 10-minute infusion formulation of bendamustine hydrochloride. Bendeka is for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
As a result, and consistent with the order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (the Court) on June 8, 2018, the FDA will not approve any drug applications referencing Bendeka until the ODE expires in December 2022.