Novartis Lung Cancer Drug Zykadia Gains EU Approval, Providing New Therapy for Certain Patients with ALK+ NSCLC

Novartis has announced that the European Commission has approved Zykadia (ceritinib) to treat adult patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously treated with crizotinib. The approval of Zykadia in the European Union (EU) provides patients with advanced ALK+ NSCLC previously treated with crizotinib a new treatment option that specifically targets the genetic makeup of their cancer.

"Molecular testing for genetic drivers in lung cancer plays a critical role as patients and physicians determine how to proceed with therapies, especially after they have experienced disease progression following initial treatment," said Stefania Vallone, international relations, Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe and board member, Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE). "Patients with resistant ALK+ NSCLC have had very few treatment options available that specifically target the genetic makeup of their disease. The approval of Zykadia brings new hope to the lung cancer community as we continue to advocate for innovative therapies."

The EU approval of Zykadia is based on data from two global, multicenter, open-label, single-arm studies [Study A (also known as ASCEND-1) and Study B (also known as ASCEND-2)]. Data from Study A demonstrated patients with ALK+ NSCLC who received Zykadia 750 mg daily after previous treatment with chemotherapy followed by an ALK inhibitor experienced an overall response rate (ORR) of 56.4%. 

"The approval of Zykadia in the EU is significant for ALK+ NSCLC patients who have exhausted the other treatment options for their disease," said Bruno Strigini, President, Novartis Oncology. "This approval is yet another example of our commitment to precision oncology and our continued focus on developing treatment approaches that target specific genetic and molecular characteristics of cancer."

The EU approval follows a positive opinion adopted by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in February 2015 and applies to all 28 EU member states, plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Outside the EU, Zykadia is approved in the US and other countries within North America, South America, Central America and Asia. Additional regulatory reviews for Zykadia are underway worldwide.