Novartis myelofibrosis study shows benefits of Jakavi

Novartis has announced data from a phase III three-year follow-up study showing the potentially groundbreaking impact its drug Jakavi can deliver for myelofibrosis sufferers.

Results from the Comfort-II trial showed that Jakavi demonstrated improved overall survival benefits and sustained reductions in spleen size compared to conventional therapy.

Moreover, a long-term exploratory analysis also indicated that the drug was able to slow or stabilise the advancement of bone marrow fibrosis, a key underlying disease mechanism and consequence of myelofibrosis.

This effect has never before been observed with conventional therapy in advanced myelofibrosis patients, suggesting Novartis' product could be potentially revolutionary.

Dr Alessandro Riva, global head of oncology development and medical affairs at Novartis Oncology, said: "For the first time in advanced myelofibrosis, drug therapy showed evidence of bone marrow fibrosis stabilisation or improvement, further supporting that Jakavi may modify the natural course of disease."

According to its most recent financial report, strong sales of Jakavi were a key contributor to the year-on-year sales growth experienced by Novartis in the first quarter of 2013.