Precision, progress, and a new era in cancer care

For decades, Novartis has helped lead the fight against cancer through the development of precision breakthrough medicines that improve and extend patients’ lives.

Of our company’s nearly 40 US FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations, the majority have been in oncology, and we’re among the industry leaders in securing this designation given the significant potential of some of our medicines to improve patient outcomes compared to existing treatments.

Our track record of novel innovation continues, with important data Novartis presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO’s) Annual Meeting. This year, we shared data from our Phase III ASC4FIRST trial for patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase —the latest innovation for a type of cancer we’ve been committed to beating for decades.?

I want to share a few perspectives on what these advancements could mean for patients and the future of cancer care.

The targeted therapy revolution continues

The journey of medicine began with the realization that chemicals could impact human biology. Early medicines were broad and nonspecific, often impacting both cancerous and healthy cells, and we weren’t exactly sure how they worked in the body. Even today, the vast majority of human biology remains a mystery -—I often say it’s a miracle that we’ve been able to find any medicines at all.

But around two decades ago, scientific advancements enabled medicines to be more specific and cancer care began to transform with the emergence of targeted therapies. Targeted therapy primarily focuses on targeting specific molecules and mechanisms that are directly involved in the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells. This more specific approach can lead to more tolerable treatment experiences for patients—and the future of targeted cancer therapies is promising, with ongoing advancements expected to transform cancer treatment further.

Novartis kicked-off the targeted therapy revolution with our innovations, and our history of leadership in oncology speaks to the promise of continued innovation. Our CML data at ASCO this year is a strong example of that. We’ve continued working to out-innovate ourselves and bring forward more and advanced treatment options for patients.

Continued Progress in Radioligand Therapy

The emergence of entirely new technology platforms to treat cancer, such as radioligand therapy and antibody drug conjugates, has been a fundamental advancement that could change the future of oncology. These tumor-targeting therapies deliver radiation or other cytotoxic payloads to certain cancer cells, damaging or destroying them more selectively, while often allowing the rest of the body’s cells to remain undamaged. It’s an entirely new treatment approach that could expand to a range of solid tumor cancers as the science advances and offers patients the chance to resume their daily lives much faster than traditional radiation and chemotherapy.

The technology platform is highly specialized, and Novartis has led the charge in this exciting new area. Building on our long history in oncology, we’re proud to be one of the first companies to scale our platform around much of the world, and we’re hopeful about the impact it can have on patients and human health.

The promise of early intervention

In addition to the discovery of more specific, targeted medicines, advancements in oncology research are allowing us to intervene at earlier stages than ever before. Treating cancer early can be life-changing for patients, potentially leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life. Early intervention can offer patients hope and empower them to live life on their own terms.

?Building on that progress through the development of more medicines that enable early detection, and the possibility of earlier treatment is pivotal to winning the fight against cancer.

This is increasingly important, as advances in modern medicine have dramatically improved life expectancy globally—an achievement the biopharmaceutical industry has greatly contributed to. As people live longer, they are more likely to experience diseases that affect older populations, such as cancer, which makes the need to find new and advanced cancer treatments more important than ever.

The power of partnership

At Novartis, we reimagine medicine together with patients, doctors, and many others. We’ve seen how close collaboration with patients and patient organizations can lead to meaningful differences in the ways we develop medicines and bring them to the world.

For example, patient insights helped us remove a potential barrier to participation in our recent Phase III CML trial. Patients and caregivers recommended removing the need for a bone marrow aspiration test as a requirement to enter the trial. Based on the input from CML patient advocates, and following a discussion with regulatory authorities, we removed the requirement. In addition to an improved experience for patients and caregivers, enrollment was completed 10 months ahead of schedule.

Taking a patient-centered approach to developing and expanding access to medicine can ensure innovation is both scientifically advanced and practically beneficial. By integrating patient insights into our work, our industry can improve outcomes on a global scale.

A future filled with promise

The innovation power of our industry—fueled by decades of sustained research investment and our capability to expand access to medicines across the globe—is leading to undeniable scientific progress that we can all find hope in. But it will require all of us working across the health care system to deliver these benefits to patients as quickly as possible.

As a physician-scientist and drug developer, I am deeply inspired by today’s advances in cancer care, and working at a company dedicated to making all cancers treatable and curable strengthens my optimism for the healthier future we can shape together.

Vas Narasimhan, M.D., Chief Executive Officer

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