Toward regrowing cartilage

In a recent wildlife documentary, a shark bites off an octopus’s arm. The octopus hides for days and then reappears. Its tentacle has started to grow back.

Unlike octopuses, humans can’t regrow body parts. At least, not yet.

Novartis researchers are inspired by these wild survival artists. They are developing a treatment that has the potential to regrow cartilage in the knees of patients with osteoarthritis. Though not quite equivalent to the regenerative powers of wildlife, it’s an ambitious attempt to regenerate tissue. The approach is part of a wider effort at Novartis to …

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Novartis announces first FDA filing acceptance for anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab for people with esophageal cancer

  • Biologics License Application (BLA) submission supported by Phase III RATIONALE 302 trial, which met primary endpoint of improvement in overall survival (OS) in people with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who had received prior systemic therapy1
  • ESCC is most common type of esophageal cancer globally and sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with five-year survival rate at 19.9%2,3
  • Tislelizumab is a key cornerstone of …
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Sandoz strengthens pipeline by entering into agreement for biosimilar bevacizumab, a key oncology medicine
  • Sandoz enters into commercialization agreement for biosimilar bevacizumab with Bio-Thera Solutions, Ltd., for treatment of multiple types of cancers1,2
  • Sandoz is committed to building on its leading generic and biosimilar oncology portfolio to further expand patient access, while contributing to sustainability of healthcare systems

Basel, September 8, 2021 — Sandoz, a Novartis division, today announced that it has entered into a commercialization agreement with Bio-Thera …

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A blood cancer patient’s long road to diagnosis

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of rare blood cancers, including myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), that affect blood cell production in the bone marrow. These blood cancers may result in debilitating symptoms that can burden daily life. Unfortunately, patients often struggle to have their needs met when confronting their illness. The good news is, people all over the world living with MPNs, their caregivers and clinicians are working together to understand the unique physical, emotional and economic challenges that the MPN …

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Novartis announces discontinuation of CIRRUS-1 study of CFZ533 (iscalimab) in kidney transplant patients

Novartis today announced that following an interim analysis of data from the CIRRUS-1 study, a decision has been taken to discontinue the trial. 

  • The analysis indicated that CFZ533 (iscalimab)-based treatment is less efficacious compared to tacrolimus-based treatment in the prevention of organ rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant. Both CFZ533 and tacrolimus were used in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies (induction therapy, mycophenolate and corticosteroids).
  • Study of CFZ533 in liver transplant continues, as do studies exploring CFZ533 as a …
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Novartis presents new findings at ERS reinforcing the efficacy of Enerzair® Breezhaler®, highlighting its digital companion, as well as showcasing commitment to low carbon footprint asthma solutions

  • Novartis will present 12 abstracts at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2021 for Enerzair® Breezhaler® (IND/GLY/MF*) and Atectura® Breezhaler® (IND/MF**) — for patients whose asthma is uncontrolled with LABA/ICS^ and ICS, respectively1,2
  • Data from post hoc analyses of the Phase III PLATINUM program (including IRIDIUM and ARGON studies) further establish efficacy of Enerzair …
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Novartis receives FDA fast track designation for LNA043 in osteoarthritis of the knee

Novartis today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation for LNA043 for the treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. Fast track designation facilitates the development and expedites the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill unmet medical needs.1 LNA043 is being developed as a potential first in class disease modifying treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). 

OA is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of cartilage, leading to pain, loss of joint function and disability. It affects …

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World-first agreement between Novartis and the NHS enables broad and rapid access to first-in-class cholesterol-lowering medicine Leqvio® ▼(inclisiran)

  • Agreement follows positive NICE recommendation and commits to deliver Leqvio® (inclisiran) access via a population health management approach identifying eligible patients across England1
  • Over three years ~300,000 patients at high risk of a second cardiovascular event are expected to be treated with inclisiran, a small interfering RNA therapy administered as a 6-monthly maintenance dose‡, in the community setting
  • Long-term elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) …
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Novartis sabatolimab receives orphan drug designation from the European Commission for myelodysplastic syndromes

Novartis announced today that the European Commission (EC) has granted orphan drug designation to sabatolimab (MBG453) for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), based on clinical data showing a high rate of responses in patients with high-risk MDS who were treated with sabatolimab in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMAs). The decision follows a positive opinion from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA)1.

  • MDS are a group of rare and often underdiagnosed blood cancers characterized by two major …
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Novartis Leqvio®* (inclisiran) analyses show effective and sustained LDL-C reduction in two sub-populations of patients with ASCVD

  • Separate post hoc analyses of pooled Phase III ORION-9, -10 and -11 data show twice-yearly** Leqvio® (inclisiran) consistently reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with established cerebrovascular disease (CeVD)1 and polyvascular disease (PVD)2
  • Overall, Leqvio was well-tolerated, with a safety profile similar to placebo and consistent with the overall pooled population from the combined trials1 …
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