Novartis to present cancer drug data at ESMO 2014

Novartis has announced that it will be attending the forthcoming 2014 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, where it will share data on its latest cancer drug developments.

Taking place in Madrid from September 26th to 30th, the conference will see the company present data on compounds that target specific pathways and molecular markers involved in cancer.

This includes new analyses from a pivotal trial evaluating Zykadia in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, overall survival results from the pivotal trial of Afinitor in advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, and updated patient management data for Afinitor in advanced breast cancer.

New findings on a variety of pipeline compounds will also be shared, including data for advanced basal cell carcinoma therapy LDE225, melanoma treatments LEE011, LGX818 and MEK162, and the solid tumour therapies BKM120 and BYL719.

Dr Alessandro Riva, global head of Novartis' oncology development and medical affairs business, said: "Our clinical programme has led to the development of precise therapies for patients with the specific genetic profile targeted by these treatments, enabling us to make a difference for people living with these diseases."

This comes after the firm presented data on its ophthalmology portfolio, including Lucentis and Jetrea, at the EURETINA congress in London last week.