Celgene wins NICE recommendation for Vidaza

Celgene has been granted a recommendation from the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for its drug Vidaza.

The healthcare regulator has issued a final appraisal determination (FAD) that recommends Vidaza as a treatment option for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia.

NICE's decision was based on analysis of peer-reviewed clinical studies which show that Vidaza can extend the survival of MDS patients by more than nine months compared to conventional care regimens.

This FAD will now be reviewed by appraisal consultees for review, with NICE set to use the determination as the basis of its final guidance to the NHS if no objections are raised.

Robert Hugin, chief executive officer of Celgene, said: "We applaud the positive FAD from NICE that will provide patients more widespread access to a therapy that has been shown to prolong survival in these incurable blood cancers."

Earlier this week, the company announced the appointment of US healthcare veteran Dr Michael Friedman as a member of its board of directors.