GlaxoSmithKline’s Revolade receives NICE backing

GlaxoSmithKline's new Revolade therapy for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The UK regulator has issued final draft guidance endorsing the eltrombopag-based therapy as a means of treating adult sufferers of the bleeding disorder who have had a splenectomy and whose condition does not respond to other treatments.

It is also licensed as a second-line treatment in adults who have not had a splenectomy because surgery is not advisable, with NICE's decision based on positive clinical data and GlaxoSmithKline's agreement to implement a patient access scheme.

This means that NICE now views the drug as a cost-effective option for this condition and is likely to approve it when final guidance is published in July 2013.

Professor Carole Longson, health technology evaluation centre director at NICE, said: "NICE is pleased to recommend eltrombopag for this condition in final draft guidance. I am sure this will be welcome news to all those affected."

Earlier this week, it was announced that GlaxoSmithKline has moved a step closer to selling off its thrombosis brands after receiving a new offer from Aspen.