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Pemetrexed Disodium Injection

Shanghai Miracogen Inc. · Phase 3 active Small molecule

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection is a Antifolate antimetabolite Small molecule drug developed by Shanghai Miracogen Inc.. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Mesothelioma, Colorectal cancer. Also known as: Alimta.

Pemetrexed is a folate antagonist that inhibits multiple enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, disrupting DNA and RNA production in cancer cells.

Pemetrexed is a folate antagonist that inhibits multiple enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, disrupting DNA and RNA production in cancer cells. Used for Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Mesothelioma, Colorectal cancer.

Likelihood of approval
61.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Oncology Phase 3 boost +3.0pp
    Oncology Phase 3 trials have higher approval rates (~61%) than the cross-industry average due to clearer endpoints and FDA oncology pathway.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic namePemetrexed Disodium Injection
Also known asAlimta
SponsorShanghai Miracogen Inc.
Drug classAntifolate antimetabolite
TargetThymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaOncology
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

Pemetrexed disodium is a multitargeted antifolate that inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, key enzymes in the folate pathway required for purine and pyrimidine synthesis. By blocking these enzymes, it prevents DNA and RNA synthesis, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is typically administered with folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation to reduce toxicity to normal tissues.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Pemetrexed Disodium Injection

What is Pemetrexed Disodium Injection?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection is a Antifolate antimetabolite drug developed by Shanghai Miracogen Inc., indicated for Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Mesothelioma, Colorectal cancer.

How does Pemetrexed Disodium Injection work?

Pemetrexed is a folate antagonist that inhibits multiple enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, disrupting DNA and RNA production in cancer cells.

What is Pemetrexed Disodium Injection used for?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection is indicated for Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Mesothelioma, Colorectal cancer.

Who makes Pemetrexed Disodium Injection?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection is developed by Shanghai Miracogen Inc. (see full Shanghai Miracogen Inc. pipeline at /company/shanghai-miracogen-inc).

Is Pemetrexed Disodium Injection also known as anything else?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection is also known as Alimta.

What drug class is Pemetrexed Disodium Injection in?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection belongs to the Antifolate antimetabolite class. See all Antifolate antimetabolite drugs at /class/antifolate-antimetabolite.

What development phase is Pemetrexed Disodium Injection in?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Pemetrexed Disodium Injection?

Common side effects of Pemetrexed Disodium Injection include Myelosuppression (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia), Nausea and vomiting, Mucositis, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Elevated liver enzymes.

What does Pemetrexed Disodium Injection target?

Pemetrexed Disodium Injection targets Thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and is a Antifolate antimetabolite.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing