NICE will not recommend Xolair (novartis) on re-appraisal for Allergic Asthma

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, has reviewed evidence on Xolair (omalizumab) from Novartis and decided not to recommend the drug as a treatment for severe persistent Allergic Asthma in adults and children. NICE noted that clinical trials submitted included data on people whose asthma was less severe than those currently treated with Xolair and that the drug was not as cost effective as originally thought. Novartis will respond and there is a second appraisal meeting in January 2012.