The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has decided to shorten the review period for a drug to treat mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure, it was learned Saturday.

Under its priority system for drug evaluation, the ministry will shorten the review period on Alimta, also known as Pemetrexed, to one year, it said. The average time to review a new drug is two years.

The ministry made the decision amid expanding health damage to people from asbestos. There is no absolute cure for the disease.

Alimta has been approved in about 60 countries, including the United States and in Europe.

Eli Lily Japan K.K., the Japanese arm of the U.S. pharmaceutical company, is conducting therapeutic testing on Alimta and says it is the only drug in the world approved for the treatment of mesothelioma.

The company is expected to submit an application to the ministry for import approval for the drug next year.

It said testing began in February and the first phase of trials to determine dosages is complete. Phase two began in late October, in which the drug's safety and effectiveness are confirmed.