Benzinga | Feb 16, 2021 12:13PM EST

Bristol-Myers, Acceleron's Reblozyl Ok'd In Canada For MDS-Associated Anemia

* Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE: BMY) and its collaborating partner Acceleron Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: XLRN) have announced that Health Canada has approved Reblozyl (luspatercept for injection) to treat anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients with ring sideroblasts.

* It is a low-risk subtype of blood cancer in which red blood cells contain a ring of excess iron.

* The approval is limited to those who require regular red blood cell transfusion and have failed an erythropoietin-based therapy.

* The treatment received FDA approval in April last year for the same indication. In Europe, the med was approved in June last year.

* Price Action: BMY shares are down 0.50% at $59.69, and XLRN shares are down 3.21% at $126.65 on last check Tuesday.