BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

Bristol-Myers, Ono Pharmaceutical sales and marketing update

August 1, 2016 7:00 AM UTC

The U.K.’s NICE issued final guidance recommending Opdivo nivolumab in combination with Yervoy ipilimumab from Bristol-Myers to treat advanced melanoma. The final guidance is in line with a June final appraisal determination (FAD). NICE said it completed its appraisal 24 working days after the combination received marketing authorization, making the appraisal its fastest ever in cancer. The recommendation is contingent on an undisclosed discounted patient access scheme for Yervoy. The recommended dose is 1 mg/kg Opdivo and 3 mg/kg Yervoy given every three weeks for four total doses followed by maintenance treatment with 3 mg/kg Opdivo every two weeks. The price excluding VAT for Opdivo is L439 ($576.10) per 40 mg vial. The price excluding VAT for Yervoy is L3,750 ($4,921) per 50 mg vial and L15,000 ($19,685) per 200 mg vial. NICE noted that the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the combination was less than L30,000 ($39,370) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. ...