FDA approves blood disorder drug made by Shionogi

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Japan-based Shionogi & Co Ltd’s treatment for low blood-platelet count or thrombocytopenia in patients with the chronic liver disease.

The treatment belongs to a new class of drugs called thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO RA), which stimulate platelet production.

Its approval is the second for this class of drug for liver disease patients, following the FDA’s green light for U.S.-based Dova Pharmaceuticals’ rival treatment in May.