A new platinum drug that could help patients of hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) has moved a stage closer to being used by practitioners.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals has completed its submission of the New Drug Application for satraplatin, which it believes could help those patients who have failed prior chemotherapy.

The filing with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the third and final stage and is based on the registrational trial of the drug.

According to Spectrum, the trial of the platinum-based drug saw highly significant results for progression-free survival, giving satraplatin fast-track status.

"The completion of the filing of the satraplatin NDA is an important landmark for Spectrum as we are now one step closer to bringing forth a new treatment option for patients with prostate cancer," commented Rajesh C Shrotriya, Spectrum's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Acceptance of the application from Spectrum by the FDA will see the company awarded a $4 million milestone payment.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease among men both in the US and Europe, but the new platinum-based drug is aimed at reducing fatalities among patients who have failed prior chemotherapy.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd