NCI launches drug formulary
On Wednesday, NIH’s National Cancer Institute launched the NCI Formulary, a public-private partnership designed to give academic investigators expedited access to investigational and approved cancer therapeutics for use in preclinical and clinical studies. Biopharma companies will make the therapies available to researchers at NCI-designated cancer centers.
Six companies are already providing a total of 15 therapies for the formulary: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY), Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY), the Genentech Inc. unit of Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY), Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd. (Tokyo:4151), Loxo Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ:LOXO), and Xcovery Holding Co. LLC (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.). At a press conference Tuesday, NCI Deputy Director for Clinical and Translational Research James Doroshow said NCI is negotiating with others...