AbbVie disappointed as NICE issues negative draft appraisal on venetoclax

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a second Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD) not recommending the routine National Health Service use of Venclexta (venetoclax) for patients with certain types of difficult-to-treat relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This follows a first ACD issued in February 2017.

The drug has been developed and marketed by USA-based AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and Switzerland’s Roche (ROG: SIX).

Carsten Edwards, market access director at AbbVie, commented: “Today’s decision is disappointing not only for us but more importantly for the CLL patients and treating clinicians who face a further delay in receiving venetoclax on the NHS. We have adopted a highly responsible pricing strategy as part of our NICE submission and remain committed to ensuring a positive outcome. We will continue to work closely with NICE, NHS England, and the clinical and patient communities during further consultations prior to the development of the final recommendation.”