In the middle of the World Cancer Congress, a new agreement was signed to facilitate access to a drug against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in adults and in children over one year of age. Favored by exposure to ionizing radiation or pesticides, chronic myeloid leukemia can be responsible for anemia and bleeding in the nose, gums and digestive system and generally affects elderly people from 60/70 years old.
Today, the treatment consists of taking medication, on an outpatient basis. “Patients are given tablets with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (nilotinib, an oral medication taken twice a day, editor’s note), a targeted treatment that will directly target the anomaly responsible“, indicated to Top Health Dr. Christophe Willekens, hematologist at the Gustave Roussy Institute. The drug is now on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines.
Of the usually expensive next-generation treatments. But thanks to this new agreement, signed between the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) – an international organization supported by the United Nations – and the Swiss laboratory Novartis, manufacturers of generic drugs previously selected will be able to manufacture and market generic versions of nilotinib in middle-income countries, namely Egypt, Guatemala, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tunisia. Patents are already pending or in force.
“Access to quality medicines is a crucial component of the global response to the scourge of cancer”rejoiced Charles Gore, executive director of the MPP in a communicated published this October 20, 2022.
A hope for many more deals to come
This is the first time that such an agreement for a cancer drug has seen the light of day and it is also the first time that a company has licensed a patented cancer drug through a voluntary licensing mechanism aimed at the public health. “We are proud to be the first to enter into this new model license agreement with the MPP“, assured the president of the global health and sustainability branch of the Novartis laboratory, Lutz Hegemann. “In order for generic versions of this medicine to reach the people who need it, wherever they live, it is crucial that the correct diagnosis is made and that the care pathway is quality.“, he adds.
While the technologies used for cancer treatment have made tremendous progress in recent years, some low- and middle-income countries still have great difficulties in accessing the latest generation drugs, even as they enable patients to live longer and better lives, and have significantly improved the prognosis for people with CML. “It gives me great satisfaction to know that patients in low and middle income countries are going to have access to this essential cancer medicine.“, added Zeba Aziz, medical oncologist and member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the MPP.
For its part, the WHO welcomed this agreement. “We hope it will mark a paradigm shift, and that many more licensing agreements for essential patented cancer drugs will be signed, for patients around the world to benefit from.“, said Benedikt Huttner, secretary of the WHO Expert Committee for the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines.
Source :
- The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) signs a license agreement to facilitate access to nilotinib, a treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia, Medicines Patent PoolOctober 20, 2022
