Novartis CDK4/6 Profile Boosted But Challenge To Pfizer Rival Uncertain

Novartis AG has released strong interim data from its Phase III MONALEESA-2 trial evaluating LEE011 (ribociclib) for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced/metastatic breast cancer, increasing the likelihood its cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor will be second to market behind Pfizer Inc.'s CDK 4/6 inhibitor Ibrance (palbociclib) and ahead of Eli Lilly & Co.'s abemaciclib.

Still, some analysts said safety concerns raised by data in MONALEESA-2 may curb commercial prospects for the Novartis therapy once it does enter the market.