Rilzabrutinib authorised to treat adults with immune thrombocytopenia when prior treatments have been insufficientÌý
As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of rilzabrutinib under close review.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (29 MayÌý2026)Ìýgranted a marketing authorisation forÌýthe medicines rilzabrutinib (Wayrilz) to treatÌýadults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when prior treatments for ITP have not worked well enough.ÌýÌý
ITP is aÌýrareÌýautoimmune disease, in which the body´s own immune system attacks and destroys platelets in the blood, causes fatigue, and increases risk of bleeding. Platelets are needed to help create clots and stop bleeding.Ìý
RilzabrutinibÌýworks by blockingÌýBruton’s tyrosine kinase,Ìýa protein in the bodyÌýthat plays a role in the immune system. By blocking this protein, the medicine can decrease the destruction of blood platelets andÌýthusÌýincrease the number of healthy platelets in the body. This helps reduce the risk of bleeding.Ìý
Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said:Ìý
Keeping patients safe and enabling their access to high quality, safe,Ìýand effective medical products are key priorities forÌýus.ÌýÌý
TheÌýMHRA hasÌýdecided thatÌýtheÌýbenefitsÌýofÌýrilzabrutinibÌýare greater than its risks and that it can be authorised for use in theÌýUK.Ìý
As with all products,ÌýweÌýwill keep the safety and effectiveness ofÌýrilzabrutinibÌýunder close review.
RilzabrutinibÌýis available as tablets to be taken by mouth twice a day.Ìý
This approval is based on a pivotal phase 3 study of 202 patients with ITP whose prior treatments had been insufficient. After 24 weeks, 23 per cent of patients receivingÌýrilzabrutinibÌýachieved a stable, adequate platelet count to prevent excessive bleeding, compared with 0 per cent on placebo.Ìý
The most common side effects of the medicine (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) includeÌýdiarrhoea, nose and throat infections, nausea, headache, stomach pain,Ìýand jointÌýpain.ÌýÌý
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the websiteÌý() or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card. Ìý
Notes to editors  Ìý
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TheÌýnew marketingÌýauthorisationÌýwasÌýgranted onÌý29 May 2026Ìýto Sanofi B.VÌý
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More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on theÌýÌýwithin 7 days of approval.  Ìý
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This application was approved under International RecognitionÌýProcedure (IRP).ÌýFor more information, visit:ÌýInternational Recognition Procedure - °Ç¸ç³Ô¹ÏÌý
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For more information aboutÌýimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit:Ìý.Ìý
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)Ìýis responsible forÌýregulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.  Ìý
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  Ìý
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For media enquiries, please contact theÌýnewscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.