A blood cancer drug 30 years in the making has been approved for use in Australia, giving hope to Australians with myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer.

Omjjara was detected by Melbourne scientific researchers Professor Andrew Wilks and Dr Chris Burns in Parkville – a suburb in Melbourne’s inner north – in the 1980s.

The once-daily pill treats effects of myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer in which normal bone marrow tissue is gradually replaced with a fibrous scar-like material. Over time, this leads to progressive bone marrow failure.

It is estimated that myelofibrosis currently affects approximately 1 in 100,000 Australians.

It’s hoped that the drug will significantly improve the quality of life of the estimated several hundred Australians living with myelofibrosis today.

Australian approval for the use of Omjjara – also known by its compound name momelotinib – comes nearly 18 months after being approved in the U.S. and just over a year after being approved in Europe.

Bill Stravreski, Head of Research at the Leukaemia Foundation, labelled Omjjara’s Australian approval as “groundbreaking”.

“This is really transformational,” he says. “Discoveries and the availability of drugs like this means people can enjoy a quality of life that we all cherish. It could be that life saving, life changing moment.”

Omjjara’s approval for use in Australia has fuelled hopes for it to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which would make the drug more affordable and accessible for myelofibrosis patients.