Celgene gets negative NICE view on Revlimid in rare blood cancer; presents new data in newly-diagnosed MM

US biotech firm Celgene (Nasdaq: CELG) today (July 11) expressed disappointment at the preliminary decision from the UK drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) not to recommend Revlimid (lenalidomide) for the treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality, for availability on the National Health Service.

“This could be a real setback for patients who are eligible for this treatment, as lenalidomide is the only active treatment available for this rare, but debilitating blood cancer,” said David Gillen, medical director at Celgene.

Celgene is aware that this is the first of several steps in the NICE appraisal process and will continue to work closely with NICE and the Department of Health to ensure that patients have long term access to lenalidomide. They remain optimistic that a resolution can be achieved in the near future.