NICE Recommends Genentech’s Tecentriq and Merck Serono’s Mavenclad

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published two new positive recommendations: Genentech’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in bladder cancer, and Merck Serono’s Mavenclad (cladribine) in multiple sclerosis.

Tecentriq was recommended for use within the Cancer Drugs Fund for patients unable to undergo cisplatin-based chemotherapy, but only if the conditions of a managed access agreement are followed — such as the submission of follow-up data from an ongoing Phase III trial. Tecentriq meets the criteria to be considered an end-of-life treatment, NICE said, but additional evidence comparing it with other treatments is still needed.

Mavenclad was recommended for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, including at least two relapses in the previous year, or disease that has responded inadequately to previous treatments. NICE said it found that Mavenclad was less costly than other treatments, and needs less frequent dosing and monitoring.