Cell Therapeutics, Inc. reported that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued its Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) for PIXUVRI(R) (pixantrone). The positive final draft guidance determines PIXUVRI cost effective and recommends funding the treatment as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aggressive B-cell NHL), which includes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). CTI estimates that there are approximately 1,600 to 1,800 people in the UK diagnosed with multiply relapsed aggressive B-cell NHL per year.

The NICE Appraisal Committee reviewed CTI's updated data analysis showing PIXUVRI's cost effectiveness and recommended the treatment as an option for certain people with histologically confirmed aggressive B-cell NHL who have previously received rituximab and are receiving PIXUVRI as a third- or fourth-line treatment. The FAD further recommends the prescription of PIXUVRI for as long as CTI makes the Patient Access Scheme (PAS) available. The PAS is a confidential pricing and access agreement with the UK's Department of Health.

The FAD forms the basis of the final guidance to the NHS in England and Wales and is expected to be published in February 2014. Once the final guidance is published, the NHS must fully implement it within 90 days. CTI expects to officially launch PIXUVRI in England and Wales in early spring, when the FAD has been largely implemented.