Novartis’ Afinitor receives EU approval as pancreatic cancer treatment

Novartis has received European regulatory approval for its drug Afinitor to be used as a treatment for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET).

The European Commission has ratified the drug as a therapy for unresectable or metastatic, well or moderately-differentiated tumours, based on positive findings from phase III clinical studies.

During these trials, it was found that Afinitor is able to reduce the rate of tumour growth and improve progression-free survival rates compared to standard chemotherapy.

This approval covers all 27 EU member states plus Iceland and Norway, with further regulatory submissions in other territories also scheduled to take place.

Herve Hoppenot, president of Novartis Oncology, said: "Thousands of advanced pancreatic NET patients across Europe will have a new targeted approach for the treatment of this aggressive cancer type, for which few therapeutic options are available."

Last month, the company received a provisional recommendation for its chronic myeloid leukaemia drug Tasigna in draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.