As reported in Fierce Biotech, Novartis and its partner Incyte have reported the second set of positive phase III results with its Jak Inhibitor drug, INC424 or ruxolitinib, for the treatment of myelofibrosis. The companies plan to file a 2nd Qtr NDA with the idea of launching later in 2011.
Novartis paid Incyte $150 million upfront with an agreement for milestones that could reach as much as $1 billion. Novartis would like to get the Jak Inhibitor licensed for this rare blood cancer -- but its real goal would then be able to achieve licenses for additional applications, including rheumatoid arthritis. Pfizer has a similar drug, tofacitinib, aimed at the RA target.
Posted by Bruce Lehr March 15th 2011.
More follow up on this story from Fierce Biotech (Mar 16th)
http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/novartis-maps-out-blockbuster-future-inc424/2011-03-16?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss
Posted by: bigredbruce | 03/16/2011 at 09:57 AM
More from Reuters on this drug's potential from Novartis' point of view
http://reut.rs/i1cFwZ
Posted by: bigredbruce | 03/15/2011 at 01:39 PM