aromatase

Novartis’ Kisqali (ribociclib) has been recommended by the European Medicines Agency’s human medicines committee to reduce the risk of recurrence in early breast cancer patients. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended that the drug be used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as an adjuvant treatment for adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence, including those with node-negative disease. The CHMP’s recommendation comes just one month after the US Food and Drug Administration approved Kisqali in this setting and was supported by positive results from the late-stage NATALEE trial. Adjuvant Kisqali plus endocrine therapy reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 25.1% compared to endocrine therapy alone in patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative stage 2 and 3 early breast cancer, and demonstrated a consistent, clinically meaningful invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit across key pre-specified subgroups. Data from an updated analysis of the trial, presented at this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology Congress, also showed a deepening iDFS benefit beyond the three-year treatment period in all patient subgroups. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Europe and HR-positive/HER2-negative disease accounts for approximately 70% of all cases. Already approved in the EU for certain cases of advanced or metastatic breast cancer, Kisqali is designed to inhibit the CDK4/6 proteins which, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. The European Commission will now consider the CHMP’s recommendation as it makes a final decision on Kisqali in this indication, expected within approximately two months. Patrick Horber, president, international at Novartis, said: “Today, many people diagnosed with HR-positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer in Europe lack options beyond endocrine therapy to help reduce their risk of cancer coming back. If approved, Kisqali could nearly double the number of patients eligible for CDK4/6 inhibitor adjuvant therapy.” The company outlined that regulatory reviews for Kisqali as an early breast cancer treatment are ongoing globally.

Ribociclib (Kisqali) plus aromatase inhibitor (AI) recommended for HR+/HER2- early breast cancer (EBC) node-positive and high-risk node-negative patients, as studied in the NATALEE trial and indicated by the FDA1 Recommendation comes after recent FDA approval and positive CHMP Opinion for ribociclib (Kisqali) to help reduce the risk of recurrence in EBC Ribociclib (Kisqali) is also the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor for first-line treatment of patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in combination with an AI1 EAST HANOVER, N.J., Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for breast cancer were updated to recommend ribociclib (Kisqali®) as a Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) adjuvant therapy for patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early breast cancer (EBC) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI)1. Ribociclib (Kisqali) is the only CDK4/6i recommended for both all node-positive disease as well as for patients with no nodal involvement with high-risk disease characteristics, such as tumor size >5 cm, or for tumors sized 2-5 cm, either Grade 2 with high genomic risk/Ki-67 ≥20% or Grade 31. "These evidence-based guidelines are helpful to clinicians when determining optimal treatment options for patients," said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "Importantly, the NCCN Guideline recommendation of ribociclib in this broad population reaffirms the importance of offering eligible patients with early breast cancer, including those with limited nodal involvement and high-risk N0 disease, a CDK4/6i treatment like ribociclib in addition to endocrine therapy to reduce their risk of recurrence." A Category 1 recommendation by the NCCN Guidelines indicates high levels of clinical evidence and uniform consensus among NCCN on ribociclib (Kisqali) as an appropriate treatment for these patients. This recommendation comes after the presentation of longer-term results from the Phase III NATALEE trial at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024, which showed a deepening efficacy benefit beyond the Kisqali treatment duration in a broad population of patients, including those with node-negative disease; as well as the recent FDA approval and CHMP positive opinion for Kisqali in the EBC indication2. The updated guidelines, consistent with the FDA indication per the NATALEE trial, approximately double the number of patients that could benefit from treatment with a CDK4/6i in the adjuvant setting3. NCCN Guidelines also continue to recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6i for first-line treatment of patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in combination with an AI; ribociclib (Kisqali) is also recommended as a Category 1 preferred regimen for first- and subsequent-line therapies** in HR+/HER2- MBC in combination with fulvestrant1. To access NCCN Guidelines, visit . * Adjuvant treatment with Kisqali has only been studied in high-risk patients. ** If CDK4/6 inhibitor was not previously used. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. About Kisqali® (ribociclib) Kisqali ® (ribociclib) is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 with enhanced precision may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably. In addition to the recent FDA approval of Kisqali for EBC patients in the US and CHMP positive opinion in Europe, regulatory reviews for Kisqali as an EBC treatment are ongoing worldwide. Kisqali has been approved as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 99 countries worldwide, including by the US FDA and the European Commission4,5. In the US, Kisqali is indicated for the treatment of adults with HR+/HER2- advanced or MBC in combination with an AI as initial ET or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression on ET in post-menopausal women or in men4. In MBC, Kisqali has consistently demonstrated statistically significant overall survival benefit across three Phase III trials6-16. Kisqali was developed by Novartis under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. Please see full Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at About Novartis in Breast Cancer For more than 35 years, Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for people touched by breast cancer and improving clinical practice in collaboration with the global community. With one of the most comprehensive breast cancer portfolios and pipeline, Novartis leads the industry in discovery of new therapies and combinations in HR+/HER2- breast cancer, the most common form of the disease. Indication What is KISQALI? KISQALI® (ribociclib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer: in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for stage II and III early breast cancer with a high risk of coming back that has gotten worse or has spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic breast cancer) in combination with: an aromatase inhibitor as the first endocrine-based therapy; or fulvestrant as the first endocrine-based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy It is not known if KISQALI is safe and effective in children. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION KISQALI may cause serious side effects, including: Lung problems. KISQALI may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs during treatment that may lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including: trouble breathing or shortness of breath cough with or without mucus chest pain Severe skin reactions. Tell your health care provider or get medical help right away if you get severe rash or rash that keeps getting worse; reddened skin; flu-like symptoms; skin pain or burning, blistering of the lips, eyes, or mouth, blisters on the skin or skin peeling, with or without fever. Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). KISQALI can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and may lead to death. Your health care provider should check your heart and do blood tests before and during treatment with KISQALI Tell your health care provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you feel dizzy or faint Liver problems. KISQALI can cause serious liver problems. Your health care provider should do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) dark or brown (tea-colored) urine feeling very tired loss of appetite pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen) bleeding or bruising more easily than normal Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are very common during treatment with KISQALI and may result in infections that may be severe. Your health care provider should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections, such as fever and chills. Your health care provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking KISQALI if you develop certain serious side effects during treatment with KISQALI. What should I tell my health care provider before taking KISQALI? Before you take KISQALI, tell your health care provider if you: have any heart problems, including heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and QT prolongation have ever had a heart attack have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia) have high blood pressure that is not controlled have decreased thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) have problems with the amount of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium in your blood have fever, chills, or any other signs or symptoms of infection have liver problems have kidney problems are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. KISQALI can harm your unborn baby If you are able to become pregnant, your health care provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with KISQALI Females who are able to become pregnant and who take KISQALI should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI Talk to your health care provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your health care provider right away are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KISQALI passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with KISQALI and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. KISQALI and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your health care provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine. What should I avoid while taking KISQALI? Avoid eating grapefruit and avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with KISQALI since these may increase the amount of KISQALI in your blood. The most common side effects of KISQALI in people with early breast cancer include: decreased white blood cell counts decreased red blood cell counts increased liver function tests infections increased kidney function test decreased platelet counts nausea headache tiredness The most common side effects of KISQALI in people with advanced or metastatic breast cancer include: decreased white blood cell counts decreased red blood cell counts increased liver function tests infections nausea increased kidney function test tiredness decreased platelet counts diarrhea vomiting headache constipation hair loss cough rash back pain low blood sugar level KISQALI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your health care provider if this is a concern for you. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of KISQALI. For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit , or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information . Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at and , and connect with us on LinkedIn, LinkedIn US, Facebook, X/Twitter, X/Twitter US and Instagram. References NCCN Guidelines. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) - Breast Cancer. Accessed October 2024. Fasching PA. Adjuvant Ribociclib (RIB) Plus Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitor (NSAI) in Patients (Pts) With HR+/HER2− Early Breast Cancer (EBC): 4-Year Outcomes From the NATALEE Trial. LBA13. Proffered Paper presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; September 16, 2024; Barcelona, Spain. Tarantino P, Rugo HS, Curigliano G, et al. Characteristics of real-world NATALEE and monarchE eligible populations: A US electronic health records database analysis. Poster presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; September 13-17, 2024; Barcelona, Spain. Kisqali (ribociclib) Prescribing information. East Hanover, New Jersey, USA: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; October 2024. Kisqali. Summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Novartis Europharm Limited; 2017. Accessed September 2024. . Yardley DA, Yap YS, et al. Pooled exploratory analysis of survival in patients (pts) with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) and visceral metastases (mets) treated with ribociclib (RIB) + endocrine therapy (ET) in the MONALEESA (ML) trials. Poster presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 9-13, 2022; Paris, France. Neven P, Fasching PA, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the first-line (1L) population in the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with ribociclib (RIB) + fulvestrant (FUL). Mini oral presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Breast Cancer Congress; May 4, 2022; Paris, France. Hortobagyi GN, Stemmer SM, Burris HA, et al. Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Letrozole in Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):942-950. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2114663 Hortobagyi GN, et al. Overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA (ML)-2 trial of postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET) ± ribociclib. Proffered paper presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 16-21, 2021; Lugano, Switzerland. Im S-A, Lu Y-S, Bardia A, et al. Overall survival with ribociclib plus endocrine therapy in breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(4):307-316. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1903765 Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Fulvestrant in Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(6):514-524. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1911149 Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Overall survival (OS) results of the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients (pts) with hormone receptor–positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor 2–negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with fulvestrant (FUL) ± ribociclib (RIB). Presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 29, 2019; Barcelona, Spain. Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients (pts) with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with fulvestrant (FUL) ± ribociclib (RIB. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; June 5, 2021; Chicago, USA. Tripathy D, Im S-A, Colleoni M, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA-7 trial of pre- or perimenopausal patients with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET) ± ribociclib. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 9, 2020; San Antonio, USA. Yardley D, Nusch A, Yap YS, et al. Overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with advanced breast cancer (ABC) with visceral metastases (mets), including those with liver mets, treated with ribociclib (RIB) plus endocrine therapy (ET) in the MONALEESA (ML) -3 and -7 trials. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; June 2020; Chicago, USA. O'Shaughnessy J, Stemmer SM, Burris HA, et al. Overall survival subgroup analysis by metastatic site from the Phase III MONALEESA-2 study of first-line ribociclib + letroz21ole in postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021; San Antonio, USA. CONTACT: Novartis Media Relations: E-mail: [email protected] North America: Michael Meo, +1 862 274 5414 Novartis Investor Relations: E-mail: [email protected] North America: Sloan Simpson, +1 862 345 4440 Jonathan Graham, +1 201 602 9921 Parag Mahanti, +1 973 876 4912 SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Chaired by founder Stephen Birrell, MD PhD, group includes experts in breast cancer biology, endocrine signaling and biomarker-driven risk reduction strategies BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Havah Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative, proprietary hormonal implant therapies for prevention and treatment of breast cancers, announced the formation of their Clinical Advisory Board Chaired by Havah Therapeutics founder Stephen Birrell, MD, PhD. “The scientific and clinical guidance of this esteemed group will be invaluable as we advance our androgen targeted therapy into late-stage clinical studies for Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS) and investigator-sponsored combination studies in more advanced disease,” said, Matthew Brewer, CEO of Havah Therapeutics. Shelley Hwang, MD, MPH, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) Investigator and internationally recognized expert in pre-invasive disease and DCIS, added: “I am thrilled to be involved with Havah Therapeutics at this critical stage of their development. Insights gained from their ongoing Phase 2 study ( RECAST DCIS ), coupled with my experience as the principal investigator of the COMET Study , will potentially enable the company’s androgen receptor targeting therapy to provide a much needed treatment alternative to invasive surgery and radiation treatment.” The members of Havah Therapeutics’ Clinical Advisory Board include: Stephen Birrell, MD, PhD (Chair), is founder of Havah Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer of Wellend Health, an Australia-wide clinic that specializes in breast hormone-health, women at high-risk breast cancer and clinical trials. He is a Clinical Affiliate academic at the University of Adelaide Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories. Shelley Hwang, MD, MPH is the Mary and Deryl Hart Distinguished Professor of Surgical Oncology and Radiology, Vice Chair of Research and Disease Group Leader for the Breast Cancer Program at Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focus includes breast cancer prevention, identifying less invasive treatments for early-stage breast cancers including DCIS and addressing and mitigating health care disparities in breast cancer. Seema A. Khan, MD is Professor of Surgery in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, and the Bluhm Family Professor of Cancer Research. She is the Co-Leader of the Cancer Prevention Research Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on applying biomarker knowledge to improve breast cancer risk stratification and develop preventive interventions for high-risk women. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Avon Foundation, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation Professor Wayne Tilley, PhD is the Inaugural Director of the Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, University of Adelaide. He completed a Fellowship at UT Southwestern in Dallas Texas in the late 1980s where he was one of the first to clone the human androgen receptor (AR) with Professor Jean Wilson, MD. A current major research focus of Professor Tilley’s lab is the development of new treatments for breast cancer that stimulate the tumor suppressive activity of the AR in the breast (Nature Medicine 2021; Lancet Oncology 2024) to counter the proliferative effects of estrogen. Additional background information on the CAB members can be found on the company’s website: About RECAST DCIS Havah Therapeutics is currently participating in the Re-Evaluating Conditions for Active Surveillance Suitability as Treatment: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (RECAST DCIS), a Phase 2 platform study aimed at preventing the progression of DCIS to breast cancer. Havah Therapeutics’ HAVAH T+Ai™, a proprietary combination of testosterone (T) and anastrozole (Ai) that targets the androgen and estrogen receptor pathways, is being evaluated alongside two other endocrine therapy arms. About Havah Therapeutics Havah Therapeutics is developing a novel therapeutic implant for treating hormonally sensitive cancers and other breast conditions. This groundbreaking method relies on stimulating (agonizing) the androgen receptor in breast tissue, utilizing natural hormonal mechanisms to treat patients safely and with greatly reduced side effects. The product is a combination of two registered agents (testosterone and anastrozole, a low dose aromatase inhibitor) that when dosed, provides three months of continuous medication enabling a superior product pro compliance, safety and efficacy. For more information, visit . Contacts Media Contacts: Matthew Brewer mb@havahtx.com Danielle Clark-Brown dcb@havahtx.com