Montreal, QC – Novartis Canada today announced that the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) has recommended Scemblix® (asciminib) for funding as both a first- and second-line therapy for eligible adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase in Québec.
Scemblix® has been funded in Québec since 2023 for patients previously treated with two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The new recommendations represent a significant step in broadening access for all eligible patients living with CML in the province.
Supporting Statements
“Access to therapies like Scemblix® that combine efficacy and tolerability represents an important advancement in CML care,” said Dr. Lambert Busque, hematologist and Chief, Molecular Diagnostics and Diagnostic Program, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont. “This recommendation allows clinicians to offer patients the most appropriate treatment options from the outset, supporting individualized care.”
Dimitri Gitas, Country President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., added: “We are committed to collaborating with healthcare partners and government agencies to ensure novel therapies reach the patients who need them. INESSS’s positive recommendation is an important milestone in making Scemblix® more widely accessible in Québec and across Canada.”
About Scemblix® (asciminib)
Scemblix® is a first-in-class treatment that specifically targets the ABL myristoyl pocket (STAMP inhibitor), providing a novel mechanism of action compared with existing ATP-competitive TKIs. Clinical studies have demonstrated durable molecular responses and a favorable safety profile.
About Novartis Canada
Novartis is a global healthcare company focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines that improve and extend people’s lives. In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 500 people and invests over $30 million annually in local research and development.
For more information, visit www.novartis.ca.
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