Aumolertinib may help to slow or stop lung cancer from growing and may also help reduce the size of a tumour.

Julian Beach, MHRA interim executive director of healthcare quality and access, said: 'Patient safety is our top priority, and I'm pleased to confirm that aumolertinib has met the MHRA's standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.

‘This approval offers a new treatment option for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have tested positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations – a group for whom targeted therapies can be particularly important.

‘As with all products, we will keep aumolertinib's safety under close review.'

In a Phase 3 clinical trial, aumolertinib reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 54% in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC who had specific EGFR mutations, when compared to an already-approved cancer treatment called gefitinib.