Novartis’ Tasigna Positive In Treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Novartis has announced positive results for Tasigna (nilotinib), for treating newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The research compared Tasigna against historical Glivec (imatinib) data in the treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML).

Findings were presented at the 14th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Berlin, Germany.

Phase II data demonstrates that Tasigna rapidly removes detectable cancer cells in 96% of patients in 12 months.

At 12 months, Tasigna also achieves a rapid and deep reduction of the abnormal protein that causes a life-threatening type of leukemia in majority of patients, as compared to historical Glivec data.

The company expects to complete the phase-III head-to-head registration trial evaluating Tasigna vs. Glivec in newly diagnosed patients in early 2010.