Lilly’s Verzenios approved by NICE

NICE has published draft guidance that now recommends Eli Lilly’s breast cancer drug Verzenios for use on the NHS. The guidance concludes that Verzenios (abemaciclib) is as effective as its rivals, Pfizer’s Ibrance (palbociclib) and Novartis’ Kisqali (ribociclib), which NICE approved in 2017 for treating hormone receptor-positive, HER2‑negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer as initial hormone therapy. The three drugs are part of a new therapy class called CDK4/6 inhibitors. These are taken with an aromatase inhibitor, a type of anti-cancer drug which blocks the production of the hormone oestrogen, preventing it from stimulating the growth of some breast cancers. CDK4/6 inhibitors work by increasing the effect of aromatase inhibitors.  
Ibrance has become the market leader by virtue of being the first approved and is now Pfizer’s biggest selling cancer drug, with sales approaching $2 billion in the first six months of last year. NICE rejected Verzenios in October last year, saying that it was not cost-effective compared to its rivals when patient access schemes were taken into account – but has changed its mind now that an ‘improved’ scheme has been agreed.