Olaparib (Lynparza™) is an oral, small molecule, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 
inhibitor being developed by AstraZeneca for the treatment of solid tumours. The 
primary indication that olaparib is being developed for is BRCA 
mutation-positive ovarian cancer. A capsule formulation of the drug has received 
approval for use in this setting in the EU and USA, and a tablet formulation is 
in global phase III trials (including in the USA, EU, Australia, Brazil, Canada, 
China, Israel, Japan, Russia and South Korea). In addition, phase III trials in 
breast, gastric and pancreatic cancer are underway/planned, and phase I/II 
investigation is being conducted in other malignancies, including prostate 
cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, Ewing's sarcoma and advanced cancer. This 
article summarizes the milestones in the development of olaparib leading to this 
first approval for ovarian cancer.