The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended PTC Therapeutics’ Translarna for some patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but only in connection with a managed access agreement (MAA) being drawn up with NHS England.
News
US widens use of Boehringer’s lung cancer drug Gilotrif
US health officials have expanded the approved indications for Boehringer Ingelheim’s Gilotrif, clearing its use in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
Merck’s Zepatier shows high response rates in hep C trials
Merck’s hepatitis C drug Zepatier has induced cure rates as high as 96 percent across two niche patient populations investigated in Phase III trials, according to data presented at The International Liver Congress.
Researchers test promising new cancer immunotherapy
UK researchers have used a gene editing technique to stop cancer cells from escaping the immune system, in a new approach that could reduce side effects seen with many current immunotherapies.
AbbVie’s hep C therapy shows promise in pre-treated patients
AbbVie has presented new clinical data showing high rates of efficacy for its experimental hepatitis C therapy ABT-493 and ABT-530 in patients with genotype 1 forms of the illness.
BMA sets up ’emergency conference’ to discuss NHS ‘crisis’
The British Medical Association has organised an emergency conference “to address the crises of funding, staffing and morale” facing the National Health Service.
AZ’ lung cancer drug Tagrisso shows promise in first-line setting
AstraZeneca has reported new Phase I extended follow-up data on its lung cancer drug Tagrisso, showing strong response rates in both the first- and second-line setting.
BMS’ Opdivo gets priority review for classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo has taken a step towards the US market for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after regulators accepted an application for its use in pre-treated patients.
Speedy review for Merck’s Keytruda in head and neck cancer
US regulators have agreed to undertake a speedy review of Merck & Co’s application to market immunotherapy Keytruda for the treatment of certain patients with head and neck cancer, it third potential indication in the country.
Green light for UK T-cell immunotherapy trial
A Phase I/II trial investigating a novel T-cell based immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) being carried out by the UK’s Catapult Therapy TCR* has been given a green light following an independent interim safety review.
February sees worst NHS A&E performance in six years
The National Health Service has again missed key targets in February with its monthly performance on A&E waiting times hitting the lowest performance since monthly data became available in August 2010.
EU clears BMS’ Opdivo for two more cancers
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo can now be used to treat more patients with lung cancer and those with kidney cancer after regulators expanded the drug’s approved indications.
Obesity fuelling leap in womb cancer cases
Rising levels of obesity among UK women have helped drive a 54 percent jump in womb cancer rates over the last two decades, according to new figures released by Cancer Research UK.
FDA will review Merck’s house dust mite allergy pill
Merck’s ALK-partnered house dust mite allergy pill MK-8237 is a step closer to the US market after regulators said they would consider its approval for treating allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis caused by such allergens.
Boehringer’s Giotrif beats AZ’ Iressa in lung cancer trial
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Giotrif has beaten AstraZeneca’s Iressa on a number of clinical measures investigated in a head-to-head study involving patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
