NICE Recommends Novartis’ Kymriah

The UK’s National Institute for health and Care Excellence recommended Novartis’ CAR-T therapy Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for adults with lymphoma for availability through the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund. The drug was initially rejected, but Novartis is now offering a confidential discount for NHS.

Adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma will be able to access the drug through the fund. The treatment will be offered to people whose cancer has not responded or has relapsed after at least two courses of chemotherapy.

“CAR T-cell therapy is expensive, however the treatment is specific to each individual and could be a potential cure for some, although it is early days,” said Meindert Boysen, director of NICE’s Center for Health Technology Evaluation. “Our recommendation for tisagenlecleucel on the Cancer Drugs Fund means people can benefit while more data is collected.”