Dec 6 (Reuters) - Novartis AG
NOVN.S
said its cancer drug, Zykadia, was twice as effective as standard chemotherapy in slowing the progression of a rare form of lung cancer in a late-stage study.
Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+)advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with Zykadia had a median progression-free survival of 16.6 months, compared to 8.1 months for those on standard chemotherapy.
Overall survival data is still immature, but a positive trend in favor of Zykadia was observed, the Swiss drugmaker said on Tuesday.
Zykadia has already secured accelerated approval in the United States as an alternative or second-line treatment in patients who have progressed on or cannot tolerate Pfizer's Xalkori.
Zykadia also has conditional approval as a second-line treatment in Europe.
(Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) ((natalie.grover@thomsonreuters.com)(;)(within U.S. +1 646 223 8780, outside U.S. +91 99 1694 7070)(; Reuters Messaging:)(natalie.grover.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+)advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with Zykadia had a median progression-free survival of 16.6 months, compared to 8.1 months for those on standard chemotherapy.
Overall survival data is still immature, but a positive trend in favor of Zykadia was observed, the Swiss drugmaker said on Tuesday.
Zykadia has already secured accelerated approval in the United States as an alternative or second-line treatment in patients who have progressed on or cannot tolerate Pfizer's Xalkori.
Zykadia also has conditional approval as a second-line treatment in Europe.
(Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) ((natalie.grover@thomsonreuters.com)(;)(within U.S. +1 646 223 8780, outside U.S. +91 99 1694 7070)(; Reuters Messaging:)(natalie.grover.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
