NICE Recommends BeiGene’s Brukinsa for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended BeiGene’s Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) for National Health Service (NHS) use for treatment of certain adult patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia — a rare blood cell cancer that leads to an excess of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow.

The recommendation was based on clinical evidence suggesting that Brukinsa can lead to longer and a better quality of life compared with the standard of care. Longer-term evidence on the drug’s effectiveness is not yet available, NICE noted.

The recommendation is for patients who have had at least one other treatment, but also if bendamustine plus rituximab is also suitable.

The recommended daily dose of zanubrutinib is 320 mg. The daily dose may be taken either once daily (four 80 mg capsules) or divided into two doses of 160 mg twice daily (two 80 mg capsules).

The UK list price of Brukinsa is more than $5,540 for 120 80 mg capsules. The negotiated price for NHS use was not disclosed.