Cost regulators for NHS treatments in England and Wales have turned down Roche’s Tecentriq for patients who have already received prior treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer.
News
EU OKs first-line use of Roche’s lung cancer drug Alecensa
Roche’s Alecesna has been cleared for use in Europe as a first-line treatment for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), offering a new option for patients newly diagnosed with the disease.
NHS England consults on curbing OTC prescriptions
NHS England has launched a consultation on proposals to cut back on prescriptions for some over the counter products such as dandruff shampoo and drops for tired eyes, in order to garner savings of £136 million.
First-line use of Pfizer’s Bosulif cleared in the US
Pfizer’s Bosulif has been approved in the US to treat patients with newly-diagnosed Ph+ chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Green light for Perjeta/Herceptin combo
Roche group Genentech has secured approval of Perjeta in combination with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy for adjuvant treatment of a specific type of early breast cancer in the US.
NICE proposes restricting MS therapies
Novartis’ Extavia is the only beta interferon being endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a cost-effective treatment option for multiple sclerosis.
FDA OKs first gene therapy for inherited vision loss
Spark Therapeutics’ Luxturna has become the first gene therapy ever to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for an inherited condition.
Shire Hunter syndrome therapy fails to hit study targets
Shire’s investigational Hunter syndrome therapy SHP609 has failed to meet primary and secondary targets in a mid-stage trial.
Sanofi, Alnylam file hATTR amyloidosis therapy in the EU
Sanofi Genzyme and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have submitted a marketing application to the European Medicines Agency for patisiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin for the treatment of adults with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis.
Takeda’s Ninlaro approved for NHS use via CDF
Patients in England and Wales will now be able to access Takeda’s myeloma treatment Ninlaro on the NHS, after cost regulators cleared its use through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF).
NICE turns down rare skin disease implant
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has rejected Clinuvel UK’s afamelanotide for treating erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) in preliminary guidelines deeming it far too expensive for NHS use.
NHS England approves three new specialised treatments
NHS England has approved NHS funding for three new specialised treatments and services in the first of two prioritisation rounds.
Arthritis drug shows potential in skin cancer
The effectiveness of melanoma treatment could be boosted if combined with a well-known drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), indicates early UK research.
Boehringer Ingelheim signs Evox, Roche deals
Boehringer Ingelheim signs new deals with UK-based Evox Technologies and Roche.
Allergan to file cariprazine for major depressive episodes
A late-stage study assessing Allergan/Gedeon Richter’s cariprazine for the treatment of adults with major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder has hit its primary target.
