Dive Brief:
- Kadcyla and Herceptin combined has been tested extensively in phase III trials versus Tyverb (lapatinib) and Xeloda (capecitabane)---currently considered one of the most effective treatment options for the target population of inoperable, HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer patients.
- The Kadcyla-based combo increases overall survival by 30 months (vs. 25.1 months) and progression-free survival by 9.6 months (vs. 6.4 months).
- According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the drug will cost roughly $150,000 per year, making it one of the most expensive drugs in the UK.
Dive Insight:
Currently, Kadcyla is only available through the UK’s Cancer Drugs Fund, which allocates $336 million a year into NHS for cancer drugs that have not been approved by NICE. Roche has offered a patient access scheme to cover the cost of Kadcyla, but NICE says it is insufficient.
NICE estimates that 1500 women in the UK stand to benefit from the new drug. Roche plans to appeal the decision.