NICE Finds BMS’ Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Too Expensive

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has rejected Bristol Myers Squibb’s multiple sclerosis (MS) drug Zeposia (ozanimod) for use by the National Health Service over cost concerns.

NICE found that ozanimod reduces the number of relapses and brain lesions compared with treatment by Biogen’s Avonex (interferon beta-1), but Zeposia’s “effect on the progression of disability is unclear” and the cost-effectiveness estimate for the drug, which has a UK list price of $1,936 per 28-capsule pack, is higher than what NICE deems acceptable.

The cost-appraising body also noted that patients have other options for first- or second-line MS therapies, beyond Avonex, including Roche’s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), Teva Pharmaceuticals’ Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) and Biogen’s other MS drugs Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) and Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a).

NICE’s final appraisal document for Zeposia is due for release on June 9.