Erwinase® (crisantaspase) is an L-asparaginase enzyme derived from the bacterium Erwinia Chrysanthemi that is indicated for the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) a type of cancer that particularly affects children.
Developed at Porton in the 1960’s, PBL remains the sole global manufacturer of Erwinase® which was first registered as a product name in the UK in 1985. Since then it has been supplied to treat patients in numerous countries around the world.
Supply of Erwinase® (Crisantaspase) manufactured and licensed in the UK (PL44403/0002) is available for order from Clinigen via
If you are a healthcare professional, please report adverse events to porton.pv@tepsivo.com.
For any other medical information query, please contact us at medinfo@portonbiopharma.com.
Since announcing a new exclusive world-wide licensing agreement for the distribution of the product with Clinigen from January 2021, PBL has pursued a strategy of obtaining Marketing Authorisations in its name in numerous territories.
Do also visit our News Page to check for the latest updates on the roll-out, or supply in various territories.
For additional information on Erwinase® including possible side effects please see the patient information leaflet (PIL).
This link will take you to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website which is a non PBL site.
Erwinase® is a well established global product indicated for the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of cancer that particularly affects children. Since its first licensure in the UK in 1985 Erwinase® has treated more than 90,000 patients globally over the last 36 years. The product has a well characterised safety profile and is familiar to healthcare professionals in many countries.
Erwinase® is an asparaginase enzyme derived from the bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi that is used as part of the treatment protocols in conjunction with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Asparagine is an amino acid that is essential for cell growth; it is produced by most but not all cells. Mutated cancer cells in ALL rely on asparagine circulating in the blood for growth. L-asparaginases are a group of enzymes that lower circulating asparagine levels in the blood, thereby depriving the mutated cells of asparagine and inhibiting their growth.
There are several different types of L-asparaginase available on the market, each derived from a different bacterium. Patients receiving treatment with L-asparaginase derived from Escherichia coli (E. coli), who develop hypersensitivity to that form of the enzyme, may be able to continue treatment with Erwinase® as the enzymes are immunologically distinct. Antibodies targeting E. coli derived L-Asparaginase have been shown not to cross-react with Erwinase®.
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Registered in England and Wales, company number 9331560. Registered office at Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG. VAT number is GB 206 6518 18.