Eltrombopag, which has trade names Promacta and Revolade, is a product of U.K. pharmaceutical company
GlaxoSmithKline. They developed eltrombopag in partnership with
Ligand Pharmaceuticals of San Diego, CA.
The one-a-day tablet is being tested for treatment of both chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia and for hepatitis C. It is undergoing Phase II and Phase III clinical trials.
Eltrombopag does not yet have regulatory approval. In October, GlaxoSmithKline said it plans to submit an NDA (New Drug Application) by the end of 2007, for the treatment of short-term immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with Promacta.