Metabasis says cancer drug gets orphan status

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Metabasis Therapeutics Inc (MBRX.O) said its experimental drug for treating primary liver cancer was granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Orphan drug status is given to drugs that have the potential to treat rare diseases. It provides an accelerated path to approval and seven years of market exclusivity. (Reporting by Avishek Mishra in Bangalore)