NICE Issues Positive Recommendation for Teva’s Migraine Therapy

According to a March 12, 2020 press release, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a positive recommendation for Teva Pharmaceutical’s migraine therapy, Ajovy (fremanezumab).

The recommendation, provided in NICE’s final appraisal document, is for Ajovy to be used in National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales for the treatment of chronic migraine patients who have not responded to at least three prior preventive drug treatments. Ajovy is a monoclonal antibody that has been designed to specifically target the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway, which contributes to migraines.

“NICE's decision to approve the use of Ajovy on the NHS in England and Wales for patients with chronic migraine is fantastic news,” said Dr. Mark Weatherall, president of the British Association for the Study of Headache, in the press release. “Anyone who looks after people with chronic migraine understands just how debilitating this neurological disorder can be. We have waited a long time for this new class of drug to be made available in the NHS, but now that we can prescribe fremanezumab, I am excited to see what a difference it will make to the lives of many of my worst affected patients.”

Richard Daniell, executive vice-president European Commercial, Teva, added in the press release, “This is an important decision to help the lives of migraine patients in England and signifies a recognition of the impact of this disease. Patients’ lives and choices are limited by their migraine. We are proud that Teva’s Ajovy is the first anti-CGRP preventive therapy that NICE has considered to demonstrate cost-effectiveness leading to a reimbursement decision. In time, we hope that this treatment becomes available for all adult chronic migraine patients across Europe.”

Source: Teva