Scottish regulators back BMS’ Opdivo for lung cancer
pharmafile | July 13, 2016 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Bristol-Myers Sqibb, NICE, Scottish Medicines Consortium, lung cancer, opdivo, regulation
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) said the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has recommended cancer immunotherapy Opdivo (nivolumab) to treat advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The drug is currently being assessed by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Opdivo also remains unavailable in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Nivolumab is the first in a class of medicines (PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors) for the treatment of lung cancer patients. It has an innovative mode of action that works by harnessing the ability of the immune system to fight this type of advanced lung cancer as well as advanced forms of skin and kidney cancer, BMS said in a statement.
Johanna Mercier, general manager of Bristol-Myers Squibb UK & Ireland, said: “Today’s decision gives Scottish NHS patients the chance to benefit from one of the biggest treatment advances in this type of lung cancer for decades and one that has the potential to change future survival expectations.”
Earlier in July, UK regulators have rejected Opdivo for previously treated kidney cancer on pricing and substantial uncertainty about the extent of the survival benefit of nivolumab when measured over the long term.
In 2012, over 44,500 people in the UK were diagnosed with all types of lung cancer.6 – more than breast and bowel cancer deaths combined. UK survival rates continue to lag almost a decade behind some other comparable European countries with around 80% of those diagnosed with advanced disease dying within one year. In the same year, over 35,000 deaths were attributable to the disease.
Anjali Shukla
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