Kisqali EU nod reinforces Novartis' 'leadership in cancer research'

Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX) has received approval from the European Commission for Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy.

Kisqali, being developed by Novartis in collaboration with Otsuka Pharmaceutical's (TYO: 4768) drug discovery firm, Astex Pharmaceuticals, is the first CDK4/6 inhibitor approved in Europe based on a first-line Phase III trial that met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) at interim analysis.

"Advanced breast cancer remains incurable, so it's important to start with a powerful treatment option at initial diagnosis"