Press Announcements > FDA approves Rapamune to treat LAM, a very rare lung disease

Press Announcements > FDA approves Rapamune to treat LAM, a very rare lung disease

The Division of Drug Information (DDI) is CDER's focal point for public inquiries. We serve the public by providing information on human drug products and drug product regulation by FDA.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Rapamune (sirolimus), to treatlymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare, progressive lung disease that primarily affects women of childbearing age. This is the first drug approved to treat the disease.

LAM is characterized by an abnormal growth of smooth muscle cells that invade lung tissues, including the airways, and blood/lymph vessels that cause destruction of the lung, resulting in airflow obstruction, and limiting the delivery of oxygen to the body. LAM is a very rare disease. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, only between two and five women per million women worldwide are known to have the disease.

Rapamune, which is available as both a tablet and an oral solution, was originally approved in 1999 as an immunosuppressive agent to help prevent organ rejection in patients 13 years and older receiving kidney transplants. Because Rapamune’s sponsor demonstrated that the drug may offer a substantial improvement over available therapies, it received breakthrough therapy designation. It also received a priority review, which provides for an expedited review of drugs that have the potential to provide a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness in the treatment of a serious disease or condition. Rapamune also received orphan product designation for this indication because LAM is a rare disease or condition. Development of this drug was also supported in part by the FDA Orphan Products Grants Program which provides grants for clinical studies on safety and/or effectiveness of products for use in rare diseases or conditions.

To learn more, please visit: Rapamune.