NICE issues Viread, MabThera guidance

The U.K.'s NICE issued final guidance for two drugs: Viread tenofovir from Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) and MabThera (Rituxan-U.S.) rituximab from Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY). NICE recommended the use of Viread, a nucleotide analog prodrug reverse transcriptase inhibitor, as monotherapy for adults with hepatitis B e antigen (HbeAG)-positive and HbeAG-negative chronic HBV infection.

NICE also backed MabThera in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The agency recommended against use of the chimeric mAb against CD20 with other chemotherapeutics. Both guidances reiterate final appraisal determinations issued earlier this year. ...