Novartis’ Tasigna recommended by NICE

Novartis' chronic myeloid leukaemia drug Tasigna has received a recommendation in new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The drug has been backed by the UK healthcare regulator for patients with chronic and accelerated phases of the disease, who have also proven resistant or intolerant to standard-dose imatinib.

Novartis' therapy has received this decision after the manufacturer agreed to provide the drug to the NHS at a discounted price, with the exact figure remaining confidential.

This has helped to assuage NICE's concerns over the cost of this new therapy for the chronic disease, which has had its efficacy ratified before the regulatory committee by clinical specialists.

Professor Carole Longson, health technology evaluation centre director at NICE, said: "We are very pleased to be able to recommend nilotinib as a treatment option for the chronic and accelerated phases of this condition."

Earlier this month, Novartis announced the launch of the 2011 Promising Renal Investigators Meeting Awards, a scheme that will provide funding for young investigators conducting innovative kidney cancer research.