Novartis receives EU approval for combination therapy in lung cancer

Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX) has received EU approval for its combination therapy of Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and Mekinist (trametinib) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The new indication provides the only therapy in the EU for a particular kind of NSCLC. It is estimated that up to about 36,000 people, or about 1%-3% of patients with lung cancer, are diagnosed with this kind of the disease.

Bruno Strigini, chief executive of Novartis Oncology, said: "Today's approval represents an important milestone for the lung cancer community, especially those patients living with the BRAF V600 mutation who previously had few options.”