Vonoprazan: First Global Approval

Vonoprazan (Takecab((R))) is an orally bioavailable potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) being developed by Takeda for the treatment and prevention of acid-related diseases. The drug is approved in Japan for the treatment of acid-related diseases, including erosive oesophagitis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer, gastro-oesophageal reflux, reflux oesophagitis and Helicobacter pylori eradication. Phase III development is underway for the prevention of recurrence of duodenal and gastric ulcer in patients receiving aspirin or NSAID therapy. Phase I development was conducted in the UK for gastro-oesophageal reflux; however, no further development has been reported. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of vonoprazan leading to this first approval for acid-related diseases.