Novartis and Eisai to co-promote Lenvima/Afinitor combo in USA

The US unit of Switzerland’s Novartis (NOVN: VX) has agreed with Japan’s Eisai (TYO: 4523)to collaborate on commercial and certain medical affairs activities in the USA to co-promote Eisai’s cancer drug Lenvima (lenvatinib) used in combination with everolimus for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy.

Everolimus is marketed by Novartis as Afinitor. The collaboration follows the US Food and Drug Administration approval last month of Lenvima in combination with everolimus for this indication, the only VEGF-mTOR inhibitor regimen approved in the US for patients with advanced RCC. Lenvima was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA for this indication.

Under the terms of the accord, Novartis and Eisai will promote the availability of this combination regimen to appropriate healthcare professionals nationwide, and participate in certain joint medical affairs activities to facilitate appropriate medical use of and medical education regarding the combination. Each company will continue to book sales of its respective product.

Through this agreement, Eisai says it is committed to maximizing the clinical value of Lenvima in order to address the diverse needs of, and further contribute to, patients with cancer, their families and healthcare professionals.