GSK-acquired Australian drug PBS listed in bone marrow cancer

Australians living with myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer, now have access to the first treatment specifically reimbursed for those with moderate to severe anaemia.

The PBS listing of Omjjara (momelotinib), a once-daily oral therapy for patients who are Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor-naïve or previously treated with Novartis’ Jakafi (ruxolitinib), comes just four months after Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval.

This milestone represents the culmination of a remarkable 30-year journey that began in Melbourne in the 1980s. The discovery of JAK proteins and the development of Omjjara originated with local scientists Professor Andrew Wilks and Dr Chris Burns at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Their pioneering work has been recognised with the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation.

“Today’s PBS milestone is our ‘full circle’ moment. Reimbursement of our invention Omjjara will now help to ensure it is available and accessible for all eligible patients living with this very challenging bone marrow cancer. To see this achieved thirty years after it was invented is very gratifying,” said Professor Wilks and Dr Burns.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti also welcomed the PBS announcement: “Those living with myelofibrosis often have limited treatment options and their quality of life can be very much affected. Giving eligible Australian patients access to another treatment option is an important step forward.”

Myelofibrosis is diagnosed in approximately one in every 100,000 Australians, most commonly affecting people aged 60-70. The disease presents a challenging prognosis, with an average survival of 5-7 years. Nearly a quarter of patients require regular blood transfusions, and within a year, up to 58% will experience anaemia.

Andrew Thomas, GSK VP & General Manager, Australia commented “After being introduced internationally, we are thrilled to finally bring Omjjara ‘home’ and remain enormously proud of our contribution and of the teams who have made this happen.

“We also acknowledge the award-winning Australian scientists whose original idea has now gone from ‘bench to bedside’.”

GSK acquired Omjjara in 2022 and has since secured regulatory approvals in the US, Europe, and now Australia. This makes Omjjara one of a select few original Australian research discoveries to achieve both TGA and FDA approval, reinforcing the importance of fostering local medical innovation.

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