Novartis receives EU approval for first-line use of Zykadia in lung cancer

Novartis has announced that its cancer therapy has been approved for first-line use in the treatment of lung cancer in Europe.

The European Commission has agreed to expand the use of Zykadia to include the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours are ALK-positive.

This approval was based on results from the phase III trial ASCEND-4, which met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a 45 percent reduction in the risk of disease progression among those receiving Zykadia compared to chemotherapy.

It comes after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the expanded use of Zykadia in the same indication last month.

Bruno Strigini, chief executive officer for Novartis Oncology, said: "Our commitment to innovation in lung cancer will continue and we look forward to providing additional advancements for patients as the incidence of the disease grows around the world."

Zykadia is currently approved in more than 70 countries worldwide and is one of Novartis' key assets for the treatment of lung cancer, a key focus area for the company.

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