Imnovid (Celgene) may cause birth defects in MM patients

Celgene Corp has warned doctors in the UK that Imnovid (pomalidomide) which is newly approved for Multiple Myeloma can cause life-threatening birth defects. In a letter to healthcare professionals, Celgene stressed that the medicine is structurally related to thalidomide, a known human teratogen that causes severe life-threatening birth defects.

Several medically-supervised pregnancy tests are undertaken at various points in the pre- and post-treatment pathway. As the drug is also present in semen, male patients should use condoms throughout treatment duration, during dose interruption and for one week after cessation of treatment if their partner is pregnant or of childbearing potential and not using effective contraception.