Biogen Idec has received a boost with the news that the cost watchdog in England and Wales has recommended use of its high-profile multiple sclerosis pill Tecfidera, a few months after it was “minded to say no”.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued its Final Appraisal Determination, recommending Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) as an option for treating adults with relapsing-remitting MS – normally defined as two clinically significant relapses in the previous two years – only if, they do not have highly active or rapidly evolving severe RRMS.

NICE have not recommended Tecfidera for those with highly active or rapidly evolving RRMS for whom other treatments are available , notably Sanofi's Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), Tysabri (natalizumab) and Novartis' pill Gilenya (fingolimod).

The guidance represents a U-turn on NICE's decision to not recommend Tecfidera made in the previous draft consultation document in February.

Biogen says Tecfidera will be provided under a patient access scheme and notes that the final step of the appraisal process is for NICE to issue the completed Technology Appraisal Guidance over the coming weeks. After that, the NHS will have a three-month period to implement the guidance; the price is slated at £17,900 per year.

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