Novartis Announces Positive Data - Analyst Blog

Novartis (NVS) recently presented positive data on some of its drugs at the annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. 

Results from a phase II study of Afinitor (everolimus) demonstrate that the drug was able to reduce the size of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), benign brain tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS). In the study conducted on 28 patients, it was observed that 75% of patients experienced a 30% or greater reduction in the size of their brain tumors. 

Earlier this month, Novartis provided encouraging data on Afinitor from a phase III trial conducted in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). It was observed that the combination of Afinitor and best supportive care met the primary endpoint by extending the time period without tumor growth. Novartis plans to submit the regulatory filing for the drug later this year.
 
Novartis also presented data on Zometa, which is approved in many countries for the reduction of bone complications in multiple myeloma and across a broad range of metastatic cancers involving bone. It was observed that the addition of Zometa to first-line chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients by 16% and progression-free survival by 12% compared with oral clodronate plus first-line chemotherapy. 

Oncology was the largest franchise in the Pharmaceuticals segment of Novartis with sales of $9 billion in 2009, a growth of 14% over 2008. Products with robust growth in this area were Glivec ($3.9 billion, up 12%), Zometa ($1.5 billion, up 9%), Femara ($1.3 billion, up16%) and Sandostatin ($1.2 billion, up 7%). Afinitor, approved in 2009, recorded $70 million in sales. 

Label expansion for any of these products will further boost the top line.
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