Novartis reports positive phase III data for myelofibrosis therapy

Novartis has published positive phase III clinical data for INC424, a new Janus kinase inhibitor therapy for the treatment of myelofibrosis.

Results from two separate studies has shown a strong safety and efficacy performance for the drug, which has been developed in collaboration between Novartis and Incyte.

Post-hoc analysis of data from the Comfort-II trial demonstrated that INC424 provides significant improvements in health-related quality of life and myelofibrosis symptoms compared to best available therapy.

Meanwhile, the second phase III study, Comfort-I, showed that the drug is able to offer an improved chance of overall survival compared to placebo.

Herve Hoppenot, president for Novartis Oncology, said: "We are committed to developing innovative therapies to address this unmet patient need and further support our ongoing research in myelofibrosis and other myeloproliferative neoplasms."

Earlier this week, the company highlighted new clinical data for its breast cancer drug Afinitor, showcasing its benefits in terms of progression-free survival rates.