Novartis is set to sustain its leading global position in oncology by expanding the range of indications for several marketed therapies and developing its competitive development pipeline with 16 new molecular entities focused on various life-threatening diseases, senior executives told investors at a meeting on December 9.

Plans include regulatory submissions by the end of 2009 to expand the use of the marketed products Tasigna and Zometa for treatment of various cancers. Up to five other regulatory submissions are possible in 2010 involving Afinitor and other development compounds based on the outcome of ongoing clinical trials in various tumour types.

Novartis has been leading the pharmaceuticals industry in delivering growth in 2009 from recently launched products, according to IMS Health. Contributions from products launched in the last two years rose to 18% of net sales in the 2009 third quarter from 8% in the 2008 first quarter. Oncology will play a key role in this transformation ahead of the end of market exclusivity for Diovan (hypertension) in Europe (2011) and the US (2012).

"We have a productive and innovative pipeline that holds promise for many patients," said Joe Jimenez, CEO of the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division. "The benefits of our sustained R&D investments are reflected in the nearly 30 major regulatory approvals achieved so far in 2009 in the US, Europe, Japan and China. A further 27 projects are currently in late-stage clinical trials, while eight more projects are awaiting regulatory decisions."

The Novartis oncology research strategy focuses on identifying alterations in critical cancer genes and developing medicines targeted directly at components of these molecular pathways. This strategy has enabled Novartis to bring five novel oncology compounds to market since 2001 and is driving the development of new therapies that have the potential to significantly benefit patients. Highlighting the success of this strategy, the majority of oncology pipeline compounds are targeted therapies.

"Over the last several years we have dramatically grown our presence in oncology to become the second largest company based on our ability to bring novel medicines to market that provide substantial benefit to patients," said David Epstein, President and CEO, Novartis Oncology and Novartis Molecular Diagnostics. "We are poised to continue to help cancer patients by addressing key unmet needs and to deliver sustained value through both our strong portfolio of marketed products and robust pipeline."

The Novartis oncology pipeline includes 16 compounds in research and development across diverse target tumour types and molecular pathways of cancers where there is significant unmet medical need. Six innovative new molecular entities are currently in pivotal trials, while nine additional NMEs are in the exploratory phase. Many programs are also exploring new indications for the marketed medicines Afinitor and Tasigna.

Zometa (zoledronic acid) is planned to be submitted for US and EU approval for adjuvant use in certain types of patients with breast cancer based on results from the Austrian Breast & Colorectal Cancer Study Group (ABCSG) 12 study, the first large Phase III trial to substantiate its anticancer effect.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is planned to be submitted for US and EU approval for first-line use in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemiaaaaa (Ph+ CML) based on positive results of the ENESTnd study that showed significant efficacy improvement over Gleevec/Glivec (imantinib).

Based on the outcome of ongoing clinical trials, up to five additional regulatory submissions are planned for 2010 for Afinitor (for two indications) and three new molecular entities in clinical development trials: SOM230 (pasireotide) in Cushing's disease, LBH589 (panobinostat) in Hodgkin's lymphoma and EPO906 (patupilone) in ovarian cancer. Also presented at the event was a review of the recently in-licensed Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor in haematologic diseases.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a potent and selective inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl protein, which causes production of cancer cells in Ph+ CML. New data from a large Phase III trial presented recently at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting showed Tasigna produced faster and deeper responses compared to Gleevec/Glivec as a first-line treatment in Ph+ CML. These results showed statistically significant improvement with Tasigna over Glivec in every efficacy measure designated, including prevention of progression to accelerated or blastic phase. US and EU regulatory submissions in first-line use for Ph+ CML are planned in December 2009. Clinical trials are also underway examining the use of Tasigna in CML patients with suboptimal response to Glivec, as well as Phase III clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of Tasigna in treating patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) as first-line and additional lines of therapy. A Phase III study in patients with cKit-mutant melanoma is planned to start in 2010. Studies in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension are also ongoing.

SOM230 (pasireotide) is in development for treatment of Cushing's disease, carcinoid tumours and acromegaly. SOM230 is a somatostatin analog with broad binding affinity to multiple somatostatin receptor subtypes. Based on results from a pivotal trial in Cushing's disease, regulatory submission is planned for 2010. A Phase III trial for acromegaly recently reached its patient accrual target, while a Phase III trial in patients with carcinoid tumours is also ongoing.

Afinitor (everolimus) was recently approved in Switzerland and launched in the US and EU in 2009 for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. In addition, results from the Phase II RADIANT-1 study presented earlier this year at the 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer showed that 84% of patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumourssss (pNET) treated with Afinitor and Sandostatin LAR experienced a decrease tumourmor size and/or tumourmor growth. The RADIANT-2 study, a Phase III trial of Afinitor in other NET types, is ongoing. RADIANT-3, a Phase III trial to further investigate Afinitor as a potential treatment option for patients with pNET, is also ongoing. Initial results from both trials are expected in mid-2010, with potential regulatory submissions planned by the end of 2010. A US submission is also set for 2010 in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

ASA404 (vadimezan) is a potentially first-in-class tumour-vascular disrupting agent being developed for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two Phase III trials are evaluating ASA404 in combination with standard chemotherapy as a treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC of squamous or non-squamous histology. The ATTRACT-1 Phase III trial investigating ASA404 as first-line therapy completed enrolment in the third quarter of 2009. The ATTRACT-2 Phase III trial investigating ASA404 as second-line therapy is currently enrolling patients. Pending trial outcomes, regulatory submission for use in NSCLC is expected in 2011. ASA404 is also being investigated in combination with taxanes as a first-line treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. A Phase IB/II clinical trial is set to start in 2010.

LBH589 (panobinostat) is a highly potent pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor targeting multiple oncogenic pathways, with development focused on hematological disease. In Hodgkins lymphoma, a pivotal Phase II third-line trial has completed enrolment with regulatory submissions planned in 2010. A Phase III trial in Hodgkin lymphoma is planned to start in 2010, while a Phase III trial in relapsed multiple myeloma patients is planned to begin by the end of 2009.

TKI258 is an inhibitor of VEGFR1-3, FGFR 1-3 and PDGFR that results in potent anti-angiogenic activity. A Phase III trial in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients who are failing VEGF and mTOR inhibitor therapies is planned to start in the second half of 2010. Initial data in this indication showed that TKI258 therapy was associated with 6.1 months of progression-free survival (median) in heavily pre-treated mRCC patients, which is considered to compare well to current treatments. TKI258 has the potential to be combined with everolimus in kidney cancer, and it is also being studied in breast and bladder cancer as well as multiple myeloma.

INCB018424 is an oral, selective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor with high potential in haematologic diseases characterized by over-production of blood cells caused by mutations in the JAK pathway. The compound was recently in-licensed from Incyte Corporation. Clinical studies have shown that INCB018424 reduces splenomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis, a key efficacy parameter in myeloproliferative neoplasms. INCB018424 is currently being studied in two ongoing Phase III trials in myelofibrosis. Development is also ongoing in polycythemia vera. The first regulatory submission for myelofibrosis is planned for 2011.

Progress among non-Oncology development projects highlighted at the event included the accelerated EU submission of Lucentis (diabetic macular edema) a year ahead of schedule as well as the EU submission of TOBI-TIP (cystic fibrosis) and the US/EU submissions for Zalbin/Joulferon (chronic hepatitis C). FTY720 (multiple sclerosis) is also on track for planned US/EU submissions by the end of 2009.

Novartis has a full pipeline of 148 projects in overall clinical development, including more than 60 NMEs. Using pathway-based research and biomarkers, along with a greater focus on patient outcomes, Novartis is increasing its R&D emphasis on specialty disease areas and the potential of targeted therapies.


ABF656 (albinterferon alfa-2b), a treatment for chronic hepatitis C, was submitted in November for regulatory approval in the US as Zalbin and is on track to be filed by the end of 2009 in the EU as Joulferon. In Phase III studies, ABF656 (dosing every two weeks) showed similar efficacy to peginterferon alfa-2a (weekly dosing), a current standard of care, but required half the number of injections. ABF656 is being developed and will be marketed in partnership with Human Genome Sciences.

AFQ056 has the potential to become the first approved treatment for Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia (PD-LID). Affecting 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease, levodopa-induced dyskinesia is a side effect that can occur with prolonged use of levodopa and is marked by abnormal, involuntary movements. AFQ056 showed positive results in a proof-of-concept trial in PD-LID, and enrolment has now started for a Phase IIb trial.

ACZ885 (canakinumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks action of the inflammatory protein interleukin-1 beta. Already approved in the US, Europe and some other markets under the brand name Ilaris for treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), a rare life-long auto-inflammatory disease, clinical trials are ongoing in other diseases in which IL-1 beta is believed to play an important role. Other diseases include gout, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). A Phase III trial was recently started after recent Phase II data showed ACZ885 provided patients suffering from difficult to-treat gout with superior pain relief and reduced the risk of recurrent flares by 94% versus an injectable corticosteroid. Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis with acute flares and chronic inflammation that can damage joints and bone.

AIN457 targets interleukin-17 alpha, a major trigger of inflammation in a variety of serious diseases including uveitis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Based on proof-of-concept studies showing that AIN457 delivered a rapid response, Phase III trials were started in November for the use of AIN457 in treating a certain type of uveitis, with a possible EU regulatory submission in 2010. Phase II trials have also been started for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

BAF312, a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S-1-P) receptor modulator, has the potential to follow FTY720 (fingolimod) as a next-generation oral treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. A Phase II study was started in March with the aim to determine the dose-response curve for MRI-based efficacy of BAF312 compared with placebo in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to characterize its safety and tolerability for dose selection in Phase III studies. Results from this Phase II study are expected in 2010.

FTY720 (fingolimod), a once-daily oral compound in development for certain forms of multiple sclerosis, is on track for completion of regulatory submissions by the end of 2009 in Europe and the US, where it has been granted fast-track status that enabled a "rolling submission" process initiated in June. FTY720 has a well-studied safety profile with more than 5,300 patient-years of exposure, including patients now in their sixth year of treatment. FTY720 was licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe in Japan.

Lucentis (ranibizumab), the leading approved therapy for the "wet" form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), is planned to be submitted in Europe in December for visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME), an eye condition related to long-standing diabetes that may lead to blindness. New data in other treatment areas continue to demonstrate the potential of Lucentis. Two Phase III studies - BRAVO and CRUISE - conducted by Genentech showed early and sustained improvement in vision in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Another study, EVEREST, showed the combination of Visudyne and Lucentis improved eyesight and significantly reduced vessel abnormalities in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, a subtype of wet AMD that involves the growth of tiny, abnormal blood vessels under the retina. Genentech holds the US rights for Lucentis.

QAB149 (indacaterol), a once-daily bronchodilator for adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gained EU regulatory approval in December as Onbrez Breezhaler. This product has demonstrated greater improvements in lung function, breathlessness and quality of life compared to current therapies and will be the first new inhaled compound in Europe for treatment of COPD in more than seven years. In the US, Novartis met with the FDA in November to discuss a Complete Response letter received in October in which the FDA requested additional information on the dosing proposed for QAB149. Novartis is working with the FDA to review already submitted data to determine what, if any, further clinical trials would be required.

Tekturna/Rasilez (aliskiren) is the first and only approved direct renin inhibitor, available for treating high blood pressure. It is now approved in more than 80 countries and is the basis for single-pill combination products. A combination of aliskiren with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine was filed in the US and is on track to be filed in the EU in 2009, and a triple-combination therapy with aliskiren, amlodipine and a diuretic is expected to be filed in 2010. Results from the exploratory AVANT-GARDE study, which is part of the ASPIRE HIGHER clinical development program, showed no benefit of early inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in reducing NT-pro BNP, a biomarker for hemodynamic stress, over eight weeks in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

TOBI-TIP (tobramycin-inhaled powder), a treatment indicated for the long-term management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis age six years and older, was submitted for EU regulatory approval in December as TOBI Podhaler. Clinical trial results showed TIP reduced treatment burden in cystic fibrosis by significantly shortening administration time and reducing the need for nebulisers.