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NICE backs Alexion's Soliris

September 4, 2014 12:49 AM UTC

The U.K.'s NICE issued draft guidance recommending Orphan drug Soliris eculizumab from Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) to treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), but the recommendation is contingent in part on measures ultimately aimed at reducing the drug's impact on NHS's budget. NICE estimates Soliris will cost NHS up to L58 million ($96.5 million) in the first year, rising to L82 million ($136.4 million) after five years.

The committee's conditions for backing Soliris include introducing a system to monitor how many people are diagnosed with aHUS, how many receive Soliris, and the doses and durations of treatment. The conditions also include protocols to reduce or stop treatment with Soliris, and a research program to evaluate when reducing dose or stopping treatment might occur for clinical reasons. Comments are due Sept. 25. ...