On December 1, 2025 Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology") (Nasdaq: CTOR), the oncology-focused subsidiary of Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma") (Nasdaq: CTXR), reported the commercial launch of LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox-cxdl). LYMPHIR is a novel IL-2 receptor-directed fusion protein approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) Stage I–III cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one prior systemic therapy.
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"LYMPHIR is an important new treatment option for the CTCL community, and its launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for Citius Oncology. With a median time to response of 1.4 months in the Phase 3 trial, we believe LYMPHIR may offer rapid skin relief, among other benefits, to patients suffering from severe and debilitating itching common with the disease," said Leonard Mazur, Chairman and CEO of Citius Oncology and Citius Pharmaceuticals. "This is our first marketed product and the culmination of years of development work and commercial preparation. LYMPHIR addresses a clear clinical need in a disease with limited treatment options. Ultimately, we expect LYMPHIR to be a meaningful addition to the treatment paradigm for CTCL and a value-driving catalyst for Citius Oncology shareholders. We estimate that LYMPHIR is entering a growing U.S. market valued at over $400 million, with further upside opportunities through international market access and potential expanded indications in the future. Our focus now is on execution to ensure that LYMPHIR reaches the patients who need it," added Mazur.
The FDA approval of LYMPHIR was based on data from Pivotal Study 302 (NCT01871727), which evaluated the efficacy and safety of LYMPHIR in patients with Stage I–III CTCL who had received at least one prior systemic treatment. The study demonstrated an Objective Response Rate (ORR) of 36.2%, with 84% of evaluable patients experiencing a reduction in skin tumor burden. Moreover, LYMPHIR demonstrated meaningful activity on severe pruritus (itchiness), a significant quality of life issue for CTCL patients. Median time to response was 1.4 months. Importantly, LYMPHIR was not associated with cumulative toxicity.
"LYMPHIR is an important new tool in the fight against CTCL. It is the only FDA-approved systemic therapy for CTCL in more than seven years," said Dr. Myron Czuczman, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Citius Oncology and Citius Pharma. "LYMPHIR’s direct tumoricidal activity and transient T-regulatory cell depletion offer a powerful new approach to disease control without cumulative toxicity. As such, LYMPHIR’s clinical profile makes it a compelling treatment option for physicians and patients facing the burden of relapsed or refractory CTCL."
Commercial Access and Distribution
LYMPHIR is now available in the U.S. through specialty distributors nationwide. Healthcare providers can access treatment resources and prescribing information via the dedicated portal: www.lymphirhcp.com. The product has been assigned a permanent J-code (J9161), effective April 1, 2025, to facilitate reimbursement and streamline claims processing.
The launch is supported by medical education and payer access programs, alongside a field engagement strategy. LYMPHIR has also been included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for CTCL with a Category 2A recommendation.
Outside the U.S., Citius Oncology holds exclusive rights to develop and commercialize LYMPHIR in all global markets except India, Japan, and certain parts of Asia. The company recently announced a distribution agreement with Integris Pharma S.A. to initiate named-patient access programs in Greece, Cyprus, and other Southern European and Balkan countries. This partnership marks the first pillar in Citius Oncology’s international strategy and supports efforts to provide patients worldwide with access to LYMPHIR.
Patient and Provider Resources
To support informed treatment decisions and facilitate access to care, Citius Oncology has developed clinical, administrative and educational resources for healthcare providers, available at www.lymphirhcp.com. The site includes prescribing information, reimbursement support materials, and product ordering guidance. Additionally, the site features information about Citius Advantage, a dedicated patient assistance program that includes reimbursement and benefits support, prior authorization assistance, and coordination with specialty pharmacies for eligible patients to help reduce out-of-pocket costs and improve access to treatment.
About LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox-cxdl)
LYMPHIR is a targeted immune therapy for relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) indicated for use in Stage I-III disease after at least one prior systemic therapy. It is a recombinant fusion protein that combines the IL-2 receptor binding domain with diphtheria toxin (DT) fragments. The agent specifically binds to IL-2 receptors on the cell surface, causing diphtheria toxin fragments that have entered cells to inhibit protein synthesis. After uptake into the cell, the DT fragment is cleaved and the free DT fragments inhibit protein synthesis, resulting in cell death. Denileukin diftitox-cxdl demonstrated the ability to deplete immunosuppressive regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) and antitumor activity through a direct cytocidal action on IL-2R-expressing tumors.
In 2021, denileukin diftitox received regulatory approval in Japan for the treatment of relapsed or refractory CTCL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Subsequently, in 2021, Citius acquired an exclusive license with rights to develop and commercialize denileukin diftitox in all markets except for India, Japan and certain parts of Asia. LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox-cxdl) was approved by the FDA in August 2024.
About Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a type of cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that comes in a variety of forms and is the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma. In CTCL, T-cells, a type of lymphocyte that plays a role in the immune system, become cancerous and develop into skin lesions, leading to a decrease in the quality of life of patients with this disease due to severe pain and pruritus. Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS) comprise the majority of CTCL cases. Depending on the type of CTCL, the disease may progress slowly and can take anywhere from several years to upwards of ten to potentially reach tumor stage. However, once the disease reaches this stage, the cancer is highly malignant and can spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs, resulting in a poor prognosis. Given the duration of the disease, patients typically cycle through multiple agents to control disease progression. CTCL affects men twice as often as women and is typically first diagnosed in patients between the ages of 50 and 60 years of age. Other than allogeneic stem cell transplantation, for which only a small fraction of patients qualify, there is currently no curative therapy for advanced CTCL.
(Press release, Citius Pharmaceuticals, DEC 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234661017])