20 August 2015 - Novartis announced today that the European Commission has approved Odomzo (sonidegib, formerly LDE225) 200 mg capsules for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) who are not amenable to curative surgery or radiation therapy.

"I have seen first-hand the devastating impact advanced basal cell carcinoma can have on those living with the disease. As the lesions are usually highly visible and located predominantly on the face, they can impact patients both physically and emotionally," said Reinhard Dummer, MD, Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Dermatology at the University of Zurich. "The approval of Odomzo brings new hope in the form of a non-invasive option to help treat this disfiguring and potentially life-threatening disease."

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) consists of abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin's basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) and accounts for more than 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers. Advanced BCC is thought to represent roughly 1-10% of all cases of BCC. Although BCC rarely becomes advanced, there have been few treatment options at this stage of the disease. Worldwide incidence of BCC is rising by 10% each year due to factors such as an aging population and increased ultraviolet exposure.

For more details, go to: https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-drug-odomzo®-gains-eu-approval-locally-advanced-basal-cell-carcinoma