GlaxoSmithKline granted initial NICE backing for Votrient

GlaxoSmithKline has been given a provisional recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for its drug Votrient to be used among patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

The healthcare regulator has backed the drug in newly-published draft guidance which suggested that Votrient can deliver comparable performance to the currently recommended treatment sunitinib, as well as a more favourable side effect profile in certain cases.

GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to offer a 12.5 percent discount on the list price of Votrient under the terms of the patient access scheme.

Moreover, it has promised to provide a provisional rebate depending on the outcome of a forthcoming clinical trial, Comparz, which evaluates Votrient and sunitinib in a head-to-head comparison.

Dr Carole Longson, health technology evaluation centre director at NICE, said this makes the treatment "a cost-effective option for the NHS".

Earlier this month, GlaxoSmithKline and partner Theravance commenced a new clinical study of GSK961081, a developmental therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.