Video and Photo: Tasigna(R) Receives US Approval Providing New Hope to Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients With Resistance or Intolerance to Existing...( - Tasigna produced responses in ...),Health

- Tasigna produced responses in 40% of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia resistant or intolerant to

prior treatment - Approval and availability in US means Novartis can offer physicians and

patients a comprehensive treatment approach for this disease

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tasigna(R) (nilotinib) capsules have been approved in the US as a new therapy for certain patients with a life-threatening form of leukemia who are resistant or intolerant to prior treatment including Gleevec(R) (imatinib mesylate) tablets*, an established treatment standard and a leading Novartis medicine.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/novartis/30191/

Novartis will make Tasigna available throughout the US within days following this approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to meet the treatment needs of these patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

CML is one of the four most common types of leukemia, a form of blood cancer, and affects around 4,500 people in the US each year(1).

"Tasigna represents an important advance for the small number of patients who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy," said David Epstein, President and CEO of Novartis Oncology. "This approval means we can offer physicians a comprehensive treatment approach with effective medicines to treat their Ph+ CML patients."

Taken twice daily, Tasigna works by inhibiting the proliferation of cells containing an abnormal chromosome. It does this by targeting the production of the Bcr-Abl protein, which is produced only by cells containing the abnormal Philadelphia chromosome. This protein is recognized as the key cause and driver of the overproduction of cancer-causing white blood cells in pat
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