Veppanu FDA Approval May 2026: First PROTAC Drug for ESR1-Mutated Breast Cancer — What Patients Need to Know

# Veppanu FDA Approval May 2026: First PROTAC Drug for ESR1-Mutated Breast Cancer — What Patients Need to Know

> **Quick answer:** On May 1, 2026, the FDA approved Veppanu (vepdegestrant), the first-ever PROTAC therapy, for adults with ER-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed on prior hormone therapy. In the VERITAC-2 trial, Veppanu extended median progression-free survival from 2.1 months to 5.0 months compared to fulvestrant — a 43% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death.

Veppanu FDA approval marks a genuine turning point in breast cancer treatment. On May 1, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration approved vepdegestrant (brand name Veppanu) — the first PROTAC drug ever cleared by regulators — for a specific and difficult-to-treat population: adults with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer. For the 40 to 50 percent of patients who develop ESR1 mutations after endocrine therapy, this approval ends a years-long gap in targeted treatment options.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for medical concerns.*

## What Is Veppanu and What Did the FDA Approve?

Veppanu (vepdegestrant) is an oral tablet developed by Arvinas, Inc. in collaboration with Pfizer. The FDA granted approval on May 1, 2026, for adults with ER-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose disease has progressed following at least one line of endocrine therapy, including one line that included a CDK4/6 inhibitor.