The Ministry of Health of Armenia has approved the use of two anti-tumor drugs from the American biotechnology company Agenus — Botvymo (botensilimab) and Evamplix (balstilimab). According to the data presented, Armenia has become the first country to officially register these medicines. The company's development is associated with entrepreneur Garo Armen.

The drugs are intended for the combined treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer — a tumor of the colon or rectum. This refers to the microsatellite-stable type of the disease (MSS) in the absence of active liver metastases. The therapy is designed for patients who have already undergone standard treatment. The registration decision was made taking into account the results of phase one and two clinical trials.

Data on the efficacy and safety of the drugs have been published in scientific journals, including Nature Medicine and Clinical Cancer Research. The approvals came into effect on October 2, 2026, are issued for a period of one year, and can be extended upon submission of new clinical data. Both Armenian citizens and foreign patients visiting the country will be able to receive treatment. The registration of the drugs itself does not mean that they are guaranteed to be effective for every patient: the choice of therapy must be determined by the treating oncologist.