Genzyme gains UK NICE backing for second MS drug Lemtrada

The UK drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued final guidance recommending that French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) subsidiary Genzyme’s Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) be reimbursed on the National Health Service, for treatment of adult patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with active disease defined by clinical or imaging features.

A Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) issued earlier this year concluded Lemtrada is a cost-effective use of NHS resources for MS treatment, and formed the basis of the final guidance for reimbursement, the company noted.

“The fact that NICE has followed the European Commission decision on patient eligibility for Lemtrada marks a step change in the clinical approach to treating MS,” said Alasdair Coles, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, quoted by Sanofi. “With this final guidance, the responsibility for treatment decisions with Lemtrada is now handed over to UK health care professionals and their patients,” he added.