GSK GSK plc

By Rory Gallivan

LONDON--The European Union has approved GlaxoSmithKline PLC's (GSK.LN) and Genmab A/S's (GEN.KO) leukemia treatment Arzerra to be used in patients unable to use an alternative drug.

The companies said Thursday that the EU has given marketing permission for Arzerra "as first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in combination with chlorambucil or bendamustine for patients ineligible for fludarabine-based therapy."

Jan van de Winkel, chief executive of Genmab said: "This is another important milestone and we look forward to a successful launch under this new indication of the drug in Europe in the coming months."

-Write to Rory Gallivan at rory.gallivan@wsj.com; Twitter: @RoryGallivan

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