The FDA on Friday greenlit Pfizer and Arvinas’ protein degrader Veppanu for the treatment of certain types of breast cancer as the first-ever PROTAC therapy. Results from the Phase 3 VERITAC-2 study paved the way for Veppanu’s approval, despite mixed topline data in March last year.

Short for proteolysis-targeting chimeras, these drugs actively target and destroy disease-causing molecules. Veppanu, formerly known as vepdegestrant, is specifically indicated for patients with advanced or metastatic ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer who also harbor mutations in the ESR1 gene. Only those who have progressed after a prior line of endocrine therapy are eligible for Veppanu.