NICE give go-ahead to Gilead's Yescarta for adults with lymphoma

The NHS cost effectiveness body NICE has approved Gilead’s Yescarta for treatment of come adults with lymphoma.

Gilead’s treatment will be funded through the Cancer Drugs Fund for adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, two aggressive subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

While the American biotechnology company’s treatment was originally rejected due to its high price tag, NHS England has come to a confidential deal in which the drug has been deemed cost effective. The US list price for Yescarta is $373,000 while the UK list price remains confidential.

"As we prepare to publish the NHS’s long term plan, this constructive and fast-track negotiation shows how the NHS is leading from the front by ensuring patients in England are among the first in the world to benefit from this immensely promising treatment," John Stewart, NHS England’s director of specialised commissioning said.

An estimated 200 people each year will be eligible for treatment with Yescarta which is to be available at seven hospitals in England.

Hilary Hutton-Squire, general manager, Gilead Sciences UK & Ireland, commented: "The final positive guidance on Yescarta is a major milestone for adult patients living with aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), who may have run out of effective treatment options and who therefore only have months to live. For the first time, these patients will be able to access CAR T on the NHS"

"We are delighted that we have been able to work with NHS England and NICE to accelerate the decision-making process and bring this new generation of innovative cell therapy to the UK. We will now continue to work closely with NHS England on preparing services so that this therapy can be made available to patients who need it most, across the country and as quickly as possible."

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