Novartis renews public health initiative in developing countries

Novartis has announced a public health program to provide free access in developing countries to imatinib, which is marketed as Glivec in Europe and Gleevec in North America.

Nearly 34,000 current patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal tumors and other rare cancers will be helped through the program.

The CMLPath to Care collaboration with The Max Foundation replaces the Glivec International Patient Access Program, which was introduced 15 years ago.

Imatinib will be provided in nearly 70 countries, and in a subset of countries second-line Tasigna (nilotinib) therapy will be available for approved indications.

The collaborative agreement runs through to the start of 2021 with an option to extend. During this timeframe, Novartis expects to donate more than $29 million to the collaboration.