Novartis presents new data on targeted combination therapy at SABCS reinforcing commitment to breast cancer patients

Novartis International AG / Novartis presents new data on targeted combination therapy at SABCS reinforcing commitment to breast cancer patients . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• More than 50 abstracts will be presented, including data on Afinitor® and investigational compounds for advanced breast cancer, showing pipeline strength
   

Presentations highlight results of combination therapy with targeted agents compared to endocrine therapy in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer
 

Clinical and pre-clinical data show that inhibition of both HR and PI3K/mTOR or CDK 4/6 pathways may play important role in treatment of advanced breast cancer

Basel, December 2, 2015 - Novartis will present data that highlight advancements in targeted combination therapy research, and underscore the company's continued commitment to bringing innovative treatments to patients living with advanced breast cancer at the 2015 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), December 8-12. Novartis will present 55 abstracts showcasing key real-world data from Afinitor^® (everolimus), Tykerb^® (lapatinib) and several investigational compounds in advanced breast cancer [1].

"These data presented at SABCS reinforce the current focus toward combination therapies as the standard treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer," said Alessandro Riva, MD, Global Head, Novartis Oncology Development and Medical Affairs. "Given the breadth of our portfolio, we are well positioned to explore innovative treatment combinations with the goal of providing the greatest benefit for patients living with advanced breast cancer."

Key Afinitor presentations show real-world data that add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefit of staying on treatment:

• BOLERO-2: cfDNA analysis from BOLERO-2 plasma samples identifies a high rate of ESR1 mutations: Exploratory analysis for prognostic and predictive correlation of mutations reveals different efficacy outcomes of endocrine therapy-based regimens (SABCS Oral Poster: #S2-07; December 9, 4:45 PM CST)
• EVEREXES: Clinical effectiveness of everolimus and exemestane in advanced breast cancer patients from Asia and Africa: First efficacy and updated safety results from the phase IIIb study (SABCS Abstract #P4-13-09; December 11, 7:30 AM CST)
• Evaluation of miracle mouthwash (MMW) plus hydrocortisone versus prednisolone mouth rinses as prophylaxis for everolimus-associated stomatitis: Preliminary results of a randomized phase II study (SABCS Abstract #P1-15-06; December 9, 5:00 PM CST)
• BALLET: Stomatitis following everolimus (EVE) plus exemestane (EXE) in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-advanced breast cancer (ABC) in the BALLET trial (SABCS Abstract #P4-13-10; December 11, 7:30 AM CST)
• BRAWO: Stomatitis in patients treated with everolimus and exemestane - Results of the 3rd interim analysis of the non-interventional trial (SABCS Abstract #P4-13-08; December 11, 7:30 AM CST)
• BRAWO: Impact of physical activity/exercise on adverse events and quality of life during treatment with everolimus and exemestane for ER+ women - Results of the 3rd interim analysis (SABCS Abstract #P4-13-07; December 11, 7:30 AM CST)
• BRAWO: Results of the third interim analysis - Sub-analysis of patients < 70 years and >= 70 years (SABCS Abstract #P4-13-06; December 11, 7:30 AM CST)

Investigational data in PI3K/mTOR and CDK 4/6 pathways demonstrate value of inhibiting multiple targets via dual or triplet therapy: