NICE recommends Opdivo for NSCLC through CDF

The U.K.'s NICE issued a final appraisal determination (FAD) recommending the use of Opdivo nivolumab from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) to treat squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The committee recommended the PD-1 inhibitor after BMS presented additional data and agreed to an arrangement through the country's Cancer Drugs Fund. Approximately 950 squamous and 350 non-squamous patients will be treated within the CDF agreement.

In 2016, NICE issued draft guidance recommending against the use of Opdivo for the indication, but asked BMS to make a case for the inclusion of Opdivo in the CDF. At the time, NICE said BMS's CDF proposal should describe its plans for collecting data to address clinical uncertainties, including Opdivo's effectiveness in patients with high PD-L1 expression, and "demonstrate a plausible potential for cost effectiveness" (see BioCentury Extra, Oct. 13, 2016)...