Bavencio+Inylta combo approved or Cancer Drugs Fund in advanced renal cell carcinoma

pharmafile | July 31, 2020 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing |  Merck, NICE, Pfizer, pharma 

NICE has revealed that a combination of Merck KGaA’s Bavencio (avelumab) and Pfizer’s Inlyta (axitinib) will be made available as a first-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma via the Cancer Drugs Fund.

Around 1,600 adult patients in England are thought to be eligible to benefit from the decision.

Clinical data showing that patients treated with the combo saw improved progression-free survival by an average of five months compared to patients receiving Pfizer’s Sutent (sunitinib).

However, because final data on the combo is not yet available, NICE was unable to make a definitive verdict on its cost-effectiveness and will require more trial findings to facilitate such a decision.

“The committee heard from patient representatives that having more first line treatment options for advanced renal cell carcinoma would be welcomed, as it would allow for more individualised treatment plans to better control the disease,” commented Meindert Boysen, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE. “We’re therefore pleased that, because of the joint working between the two companies, NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE, eligible patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma will be able to access this combination therapy from today on the CDF, while more clinical data is collected.”

Matt Fellows