NICE Changes Mind on Novartis’ Kisqali

NICE has reconsidered its rejection of Novartis’ breast cancer med Kisqali (ribociclib) and is now recommending the drug alongside fulvestrant, a chemotherapy for breast cancer patients that have gone through menopause.

The institute said it’s backing the once-daily pill as an option for patients with HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that have previously undergone endocrine therapy. The drug works by inhibiting proteins in cancer cells to prevent them from dividing and growing.

The new recommendation followed an improved pricing offer and patient access plan from Novartis.