Novartis' crizanlizumab accepted for FDA accelerated review

Novartis (NOVN: VX) today announced the US Food and Drug Administration accepted the Swiss pharma giant’s Biologics License Application (BLA) and has granted Priority Review for its investigational sickle cell medicine crizanlizumab (SEG101).

If FDA-approved, crizanlizumab is expected to represent the first monoclonal antibody targeting the P-selectin mediated multi-cellular adhesion in sickle cell disease.

Previously touted as a potential blockbuster by Novartis chief executive Vas Narasimhan, crizanlizumab came to Novartis in 2016 via an acquisition of Selexys Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at up to $665 million.