WASHINGTON, July 6, 2026 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (ropeg; BESREMi Pen™), a new self-administration device for adults with polycythemia vera.
Ropeg is an interferon therapy used to treat polycythemia vera, a rare type of blood cancer in which the body produces too many red blood cells.
Polycythemia vera can lead to thickened blood and may increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
This new pen is intended to simplify injections for patients on long-term therapy. Autoinjector pens are spring-loaded devices that automatically insert the needle and deliver medication at the push of a button. Patients with needle anxiety, arthritis, or hand tremors typically prefer autoinjectors for their ease of use, while others may prefer prefilled syringes for better control over injection speed. The new pen is expected to become available in the United States in the coming weeks.
“People living with chronic blood cancers like polycythemia vera often face long-term treatment routines,” said Lore Gruenbaum, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Blood Cancer United. “Advances that make treatment easier to take, support consistent use over time, and fit better into daily life can play an important role in improving quality of life.”
Ropeg was first approved by the FDA in 2021 and is given as an injection under the skin on an ongoing basis to help control blood counts.
Blood Cancer United provided research funding to several clinical trials that helped establish interferon's role in controlling polycythemia vera and essential thrombocytosis, a related disorder.
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