First CAR-T approved on market: Novartis Priced Kymriah $475,000
August 31, 2017, Novartis announced that the United States FDA has approved its CAR-T therapy Tisagenlecleucel (formerly known as CTL019) listed for the treatment of B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is difficult to treat, Or the occurrence of two or more recurrence of patients under 25. The product is named Kymriah. The FDA also announced the expansion of the Actemra of Roche, an IL-6R antibody (Tocilizumab), for the treatment of CRS side effects caused by CAR-T therapy.
In the fight to be the first among the big three giants (Juno, Kite, Novartis) in CAR-T field, Novartis has achieved ahead so-far; However, the efficacy of the CAR-T also carries its dangers in controlling of the side effects. Kymriah has established a classic resolution to use IL-6R in CAR-T induced CRS in clinical practice, which is critical to the CAR-T field. We are looking forward to more miracles as Emily Whitehead in Kymriah as well as the progress of entire CAR-T therapy field.