South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute Ltd.

Novartis' Scemblix was designed to be safer and more tolerable than older tyrosine kinase inhibitors. With results from a head-to-head study comparing its newer chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment Scemblix to its own standard-of-care tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Gleevec in newly diagnosed patients, Novartis may have a more favorable option on its hands.   The ASC4FIRST study was the first randomized head-to-head phase 3 trial comparing Novartis' Scemblix with Gleevec or a stronger second-generation TKI in recently diagnosed CML patients. Novartis revealed details from the study at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncologist (ASCO)’s annual conference after releasing results from a primary analysis in January. The trial enrolled 405 patients and evaluated molecular response rates (MRRs). At 48 weeks, 68% of patients taking Scemblix reached MRR, compared to 49% of those on an older TKI. Deep molecular response rates from Scemblix trumped the TKIs as well at 39%, compared to 21% of patients in the TKI arm.   “This combination of potency and safety may enable more patients to achieve treatment-free remission, the ultimate goal of CML therapy,” lead study author Timothy Hughes, M.D., of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and the University of Adelaide, Australia said in a press release.   A unique endpoint Molecular response rates and deep molecular response rates in particular could offer insights on potential for treatment-free remission. The measure evaluates BCR-ABL1 in the blood and is more sensitive than a bone marrow or a radiographic response as measured by the typical tumor response rate endpoint. MRR data is how Scemblix originally scored a conditional approval in third-line CML treatment three years ago. Overall survival and progression-free survival are widely considered the gold standard for oncology treatments. But for a chronic disease like CML, deep molecular response and tolerability may be just as key. That’s because treatments such as Gleevec changed the game in 2001, making life expectancy for CML patients similar to that of the general, cancer-free population, Novartis pointed out in its January release. Gleevec was the first approved TKI and opened the door to other entrants to the class such as AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso while also “turning a once fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition,” according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Still, not all patients find effective treatment with traditional TKIs. That poses a significant problem considering the chronic nature of the disease requires long-term treatment. Adverse events and drug intolerance often prompt therapy discontinuation, with adverse events specifically leading to up to 25% of patients discontinuing their treatments by five years, according to Novartis. Scemblix was specifically designed to be safer and more tolerable than older TKIs. In the study, “most” adverse event types were fewer in the Scemblix group than in the control arm, with the most frequent being low platelet count and low neutrophil count at 13% and 10%, respectively, for Scemblix. Plus, only 1% of patients who received the med experienced blood clots, which is a severe side effect of TKIs. Importantly, the Scemblix side of the study had a lower rate of discontinuation and dose adjustment or other treatment interruptions. Earlier-stage potential If it can move into first-line treatment, Scemblix could add the estimated 9,280 new CML patients diagnosed yearly to its eligible patient population. But with Gleevec’s decades of market dominance, some doctors could be hesitant to accept the new option, Novartis’ CEO Vas Narasimhan, M.D., noted on a call with investors earlier this year. However, the CEO does foresee a “very rapid uptake” among patients currently on second-generation TKIs, he added, because they are already willing to embrace newer options. Researchers will continue to follow the ASC4FIRST participants to evaluate the drug’s long-term safety profile and figure out if reaching an MMR earlier is still an accurate way to predict outcomes. Further analyses will focus specifically on overall survival, progression-free survival and treatment-free remission. As of late November, treatment was continuing for 86% of patients treated with Scemblix.

Phase III ASC4FIRST trial met both primary endpoints with clinically meaningful and statistically significant results; Scemblix® (asciminib) demonstrated superior MMR rates at week 48 vs. investigator-selected SoC TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib) (67.7% vs. 49.0%) and imatinib alone (69.3% vs. 40.2%)1 Scemblix also demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile vs. imatinib and 2G TKIs, with fewer grade ≥3 AEs, dose adjustments, and half the rate of AEs leading to treatment discontinuation1 TKIs have transformed CML treatment, but unmet need remains; many newly diagnosed patients do not meet molecular response goals, and many discontinue or change treatment due to intolerance2-17Scemblix was granted US FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation, submission is now in review under the agency’s Oncology Center of Excellence RTOR program; data will be presented as a plenary at EHA and today as a late-breaking abstract at ASCO Basel, May 31, 2024 – Novartis today presents positive results from the pivotal Phase III ASC4FIRST trial as a late-breaking abstract at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting. Scemblix® (asciminib) demonstrated superior major molecular response (MMR) rates at week 48 compared to investigator-selected standard-of-care (SoC) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib, and compared to imatinib alone in patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP)1. Scemblix also showed a numerical improvement in MMR at week 48 vs. second generation (2G) TKIs (nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib)1. Additionally, Scemblix demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with fewer adverse events (AEs) and treatment discontinuations vs. both imatinib and 2G TKIs1. “Scemblix is the first CML treatment to show significantly better efficacy compared to investigator-selected standard-of-care TKIs,” said Prof. Tim Hughes, MD, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). “When you combine superior response with the excellent safety and tolerability profile of Scemblix, we have a very promising potential frontline option for newly diagnosed patients to support them in achieving their treatment goals.” The median follow-up was 16.3 and 15.7 months for Scemblix and investigator-selected SoC TKIs, respectively1. Nearly 20% more patients treated with Scemblix achieved MMR at week 48 vs. investigator-selected SoC TKIs and nearly 30% more patients achieved MMR at week 48 vs. imatinib alone1. Patients treated with Scemblix also achieved deeper rates of molecular responses (MR4 and MR4.5) compared with investigator-selected SoC TKIs and imatinib alone1. Overalla Scemblix (n=201)vs. investigator-selected SoC TKIs (n=204) Imatinib stratumb Scemblix (n=101)vs. imatinib (n=102) 2G TKI stratumcScemblix (n=100) vs. 2G TKIs (n=102) Primary endpoints Week 48 MMR rates 67.7% vs. 49.0% 69.3% vs. 40.2% – Week 48 MMR Treatment difference (95% CI) 18.9% (9.6%–28.2%) 29.6% (16.9%–42.2%) – Adjusted 1-sided p-value <.001 <.001 – Secondary endpointsd Week 48 MMR rates – – 66.0% vs. 57.8% Week 48 MR4 39% vs. 21% 43% vs. 15% 35% vs. 26% Week 48 MR4.5 17% vs. 9% 18% vs. 5% 16% vs. 13% a All patients receiving Scemblix (n=201) or investigator-selected SoC TKIs (n=204). Treatment difference after adjusting for pre-randomization selected TKI and EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) risk groups at baseline.b The 203 patients within the pre-randomization-selected imatinib stratum were randomized to receive either Scemblix (n=101) or imatinib (n=102). Treatment difference after adjusting for ELTS risk groups at baseline.c The 202 patients within the pre-randomization selected 2G TKIs stratum were randomized to receive either Scemblix (n=100) or 2G TKIs (n=102: nilotinib, 48%; dasatinib, 41%; bosutinib, 11%).d Secondary endpoints were not powered for statistical significance. In newly diagnosed patients, the safety profile was consistent with previous registration studies with no new safety concerns observed1. Fewer grade ≥3 AEs, dose adjustments to manage AEs, and half the rate of AEs leading to treatment discontinuation were reported for Scemblix vs. both imatinib and 2G TKIs1. Scemblix Imatinib 2G TKIs Grade ≥3 AEsa 38% 44% 55% AEs leading to treatment discontinuationa 5% 11% 10% AEs leading to dose adjustments/ interruptionsa 30% 39% 53% a In patients who experienced ≥1 adverse event. “Patients living with CML need efficacious and well-tolerated treatment options that help them achieve meaningful outcomes as they manage their chronic condition,” said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. “The compelling ASC4FIRST data highlight the potential of Scemblix to achieve better results than standard-of-care in newly diagnosed adults, while maintaining a favorable safety and tolerability profile. These results reinforce Scemblix as a proven treatment in Ph+CML-CP, as we continue to build on our 20-year legacy in CML innovation.” “CML is a chronic condition and the side effects of standard-of-care can be challenging for patients. They often affect their daily life and can lead to high rates of treatment switching,” said Gerald Clements, CML caregiver, patient advocate and Steering Committee Treasurer at CML Advocates Network. “Effective care that can be tolerated long-term is a key unmet need. By potentially bringing Scemblix to patients when they are first diagnosed, they may have an opportunity to be on a highly effective treatment while also maintaining their day-to-day from the start.” The trial remains ongoing, with the next scheduled analysis at week 96 to evaluate the key secondary endpoint (MMR at week 96) and additional secondary endpoints18. These results have been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) via the Oncology Center of Excellence Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) program and Scemblix has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation. They will also be presented as a plenary at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2024 Congress in June. About ASC4FIRST Phase III Clinical TrialASC4FIRST (NCT04971226) is a Phase III, head-to-head, multi-center, open-label, randomized study of oral Scemblix® 80 mg QD vs. investigator-selected first- or second-generation TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or bosutinib) in 405 adult patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP18. The two primary endpoints of the study are to compare efficacy of asciminib vs. investigator-selected SoC TKIs and to compare efficacy vs. that of TKI within the stratum of participants with imatinib as pre-randomization selected TKI, based on proportion of patients that achieve MMR at week 4818. The study remains ongoing with key secondary endpoints of proportion of patients that achieve MMR at week 96 and a safety endpoint of discontinuation of study treatment due to an AE (TTDAE) by week 9618. The study also assesses additional secondary safety and efficacy endpoints, including MMR, MR4, MR4.5, complete hematological response (CHR) and BCR::ABL1 ≤1% at and by all scheduled data collection time points; duration of and time to first MMR, MR4 and MR4.5; time to treatment failure; event-free survival, failure-free survival, progression-free survival and overall survival18. About Scemblix® (asciminib)Scemblix® is the first CML treatment that works by Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (referred to as a STAMP inhibitor in scientific literature)19-21. The current approved CML treatments are TKIs that target the ATP-binding site (ATP-competitive) 21. Scemblix is approved in more than 70 countries, including the US and the EU, to treat adults with Ph+ CML-CP who have previously been treated with two or more TKIs22-24. In some countries, including the US, Scemblix is also approved in patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation23-25.Scemblix is an important treatment option for patients who experience resistance and/or intolerance after two prior TKI therapies2-17, and it is being studied across multiple treatment lines for Ph+ CML-CP, both as a monotherapy and in combination18-20,24,26-38. About Novartis Commitment to CMLNovartis has a long-standing scientific commitment to patients living with CML. For more than two decades, our bold science has helped transform CML into a chronic, vs. a life-limiting, condition for many patients. Despite these advancements, there’s still work to be done. We continue to research ways to target the disease more selectively and to address the challenges of not reaching treatment efficacy goals, experiencing treatment resistance and/or intolerance that many patients face. Our legacy inspires our future innovation – we continue to lead the way in developing novel medicines to address serious unmet needs in CML. Our commitment also goes beyond science. Our collaboration with the Max Foundation has provided access to Glivec, Tasigna and now Scemblix, starting over 20 years ago, and delivering tremendous patient impact in low- and middle-income countries, with over 100,000 patients supported to date. DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “believe,” “committed,” “investigational,” “pipeline,” “launch,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram. References Hughes TP, Hochhaus A, Takahashi N, et al. ASC4FIRST, a pivotal ph 3 study of asciminib (ASC) vs investigator-selected tyrosine kinase inhibitors (IS TKIs) in newly diagnosed patients (pts) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): primary results [abstract]. Presented at: American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 Annual Meeting; May 31 – June 4, 2024; Chicago, IL. Hochhaus A, Saglio G, Hughes TP, et al. Long-term benefits and risks of frontline nilotinib vs imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase: 5-year update of the randomized ENESTnd trial. Leukemia. 2016;30(5):1044-1054. doi:10.1038/leu.2016.5Brümmendorf TH, Cortes JE, de Souza CA, et al. Bosutinib versus imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia: results from the 24-month follow-up of the BELA trial. Br J Haematol. 2015;168(1):69-81. doi:10.1111/bjh.13108Cortes JE, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Deininger MW, et al. Bosutinib Versus Imatinib for Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Results From the Randomized BFORE Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(3):231-237. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.74.7162Kota VK, Wei D, Yang D, et al. Treatment Patterns and Modifications of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) Therapy in Early Lines in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP): Real-World Analysis from a Large Commercial Claims Database in the United States (US). Blood. 2023;142:5190.Hehlmann R, Cortes JE, Zyczynski T, et al. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor interruptions, discontinuations and switching in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia in routine clinical practice: SIMPLICITY. Am J Hematol. 2019;94(1):46-54. doi:10.1002/ajh.25306Claudiani S, Chughtai F, Khan A. et al. Long-term outcomes after upfront second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors for chronic myeloid leukemia: managing intolerance and resistance. Leukemia. 2024;38:796–802. doi:10.1038/s41375-024-02187-wKohlbrenner K, Galuschek N, Fabarius A, et al. Therapy in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Outside of Clinical Trials: Results of the German CML-Registry (CML-VI). Blood. 2022;140(Supplement 1):947–949. doi:10.1182/blood-2022-159412Cortes JE, Khoury HJ, Kantarjian HM, et al. Long-term bosutinib for chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia after failure of imatinib plus dasatinib and/or nilotinib. Am J Hematol. 2016;91(12):1206-1214. doi:10.1002/ajh.24536Garg RJ, Kantarjian H, O'Brien S, et al. The use of nilotinib or dasatinib after failure to 2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors: long-term follow-up. Blood. 2009;114(20):4361-4368. doi:10.1182/blood-2009-05-221531 Steegmann JL., Baccarani M, Breccia M, et al. European LeukemiaNet recommendations for the management and avoidance of adverse events of treatment in chronic myeloid leukaemia. Leuk. 2016;30:1648-1671. doi:10.1038/leu.2016.104Hochhaus A, Larson RA, Guilhot F, et al. Long-Term Outcomes of Imatinib Treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2017;376: 917–927. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1609324Cortes JE, Saglio G, Kantarjian HM, et al. Final 5-Year Study Results of DASISION: The Dasatinib Versus Imatinib Study in Treatment-Naïve Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34:2333-2340. doi:10.1200/JCO.2015.64.8899 Akard LP, Albitar M, Hill CE, Pinilla-Ibarz, J. The “Hit Hard and Hit Early” Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Implications of the Updated National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines for Routine Practice. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2013;11(7):421-432. Cortes JE, Kim DW, Pinilla-Ibarz J, et al. Ponatinib efficacy and safety in Philadelphia chromosome–positive leukemia: final 5-year results of the phase 2 PACE trial. Blood. 2018;132(4):393-404. doi:10.1182/blood-2016-09-739086Hochhaus A, Baccarani M, Silver RT, et al. European LeukemiaNet 2020 recommendations for treating chronic myeloid leukemia. Leuk. 2020;34:966-984. doi:10.1038/s41375-020-0776-2Flis S, Chojnacki T. Chronic myelogenous leukemia, a still unsolved problem: pitfalls and new therapeutic possibilities. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2019;13:825-843. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S191303A Study of Oral Asciminib Versus Other TKIs in Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP (ASC4FIRST). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04971226. Updated March 25, 2024. Accessed March 26, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04971226 Rea D, Mauro MJ, Boquimpani C, et al. A Phase 3, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Asciminib, a STAMP Inhibitor, vs Bosutinib in CML After 2 or more prior TKIs. Blood. 2021;138(21):2031-2041. doi:10.1182/blood.2020009984 Cortes JE, Hughes TP, Mauro MJ, et al. Asciminib, a First-in-Class STAMP Inhibitor, Provides Durable Molecular Response in Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Harboring the T315I Mutation: Primary Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase 1 Trial. Oral presentation at: ASH Annual Meeting; Dec. 7, 2020.Schoepfer J, Jahnke W, Berellini G, et al. Discovery of Asciminib (ABL001), an Allosteric Inhibitor of the Tyrosine Kinase Activity of BCR-ABL1. J Med Chem. 2018;61(18):8120-8135. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01040Scemblix. EMA Summary of Product Characteristics. Novartis Europharm Limited; 2022.Scemblix. US FDA Prescribing Information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals; 2021. Novartis data on file.National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Version 2.2024. December 5, 2023. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/cml.pdf Wylie AA, Schoepfer J, Jahnke W, et al. The allosteric inhibitor ABL001 enables dual targeting of BCR–ABL1. Nature. 2017;543(7647):733-737. doi:10.1038/nature21702Hughes TP, Mauro MJ, Cortes JE, et al. Asciminib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia after ABL Kinase Inhibitor Failure. N Engl J Med. 2019; 381(24):2315-2326. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1902328 Hughes TP, et al. Expanded Phase 1 Study of ABL001, a Potent, Allosteric Inhibitor of BCR-ABL, Reveals Significant and Durable Responses in Patients with CML-Chronic Phase with Failure of Prior TKI Therapy. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition; Dec. 5, 2016.Ottmann OG, Alimena G, DeAngelo DJ, et al. ABL001, a Potent, Allosteric Inhibitor of BCR-ABL, Exhibits Safety and Promising Single- Agent Activity in a Phase I Study of Patients with CML with Failure of Prior TKI Therapy. Blood. 2015;126(23):138. doi:10.1182/blood.V126.23.138.138Mauro MJ, Kim DW, Cortes J, et al. Combination of Asciminib Plus Nilotinib (NIL) or Dasatinib (DAS) in Patients (PTS) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Results from a Phase 1 Study. Presented at: EHA Annual Meeting; June 15, 2019.Cortes JE, Lang F, Kim DW, et al. Combination Therapy Using Asciminib Plus Imatinib (IMA) in Patients (PTS) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Results from a Phase 1 Study. Presented at: EHA Annual Meeting; June 15, 2019.Manley PW, Barys L, Cowan-Jacob SW. The specificity of asciminib, a potential treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia, as a myristate-pocket binding ABL inhibitor and analysis of its interactions with mutant forms of BCR-ABL1 kinase. Leuk Res. 2020;98:106458. doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2020.106458Study of Efficacy of CML-CP Patients Treated with ABL001 Versus Bosutinib, Previously Treated With 2 or More TKIs. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03106779. Updated February 7, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03106779 Asciminib in Monotherapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) With and WithoutT315I Mutation (AIM4CML). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04666259. Updated September 7, 2023. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04666259Study of Efficacy And Safety Of Asciminib In Combination With Imatinib In Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia In Chronic Phase (CML-CP). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03578367. Updated March 22, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03578367Study of Efficacy and Safety of CML-CP Patients Treated With Asciminib Versus Best Available Therapy, Previously Treated With 2 or More Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04795427. Updated October 19, 2023. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04795427A Phase I Study of Oral ABL001 in Patients With CML or Ph+ ALL. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02081378. Updated March 18, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02081378Asciminib Treatment Optimization in ≥ 3rd Line CML-CP. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04948333. Updated February 28, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04948333 # # # Novartis Media RelationsE-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Central North America Anja von Treskow +41 79 392 9697 Michael Meo +1 862 274 5414 Anna Schäfers +41 79 801 7267 Marlena Abdinoor +1 617 335 9525 SwitzerlandSatoshi Sugimoto +41 79 619 2035 Novartis Investor RelationsCentral investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Central North America Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 Sloan Simpson +1 862 345 4440 Nicole Zinsli-Somm +41 61 324 3809 Jonathan Graham +1 201 602 9921 Imke Kappes +41 61 324 8269 Parag Mahanti +1 973 876 4912

Novartis’ Scemblix generated $136m in sales in Q1 this year, as per the company’s financials. Image Credit: Taljat David / Shutterstock. Novartis has released positive data from the Phase III ASC4FIRST trial showing that its tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy Scemblix (asciminib) is more effective than the current standard of care (SoC) therapies as a first-line treatment for Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Recommended Buyer's Guides Buyer's Guide Leading Guide to Compliance Software for the Pharmaceutical Industry Buyer's Guide Top Guide for Drug Delivery Systems The results from the open-label Phase III ASC4FIRST study (NCT04971226) were released in a late-breaking abstract and will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting today. The conference, which started today is taking place in Chicago, US, until 4 June. The trial met its primary endpoint with the Scemblix arm demonstrating a superior major molecular response (MMR) rate of 67.7% at week 48, compared to a 49% MMR rate with an investigator-selected SoC tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Pfizer ’s Bosulif (bosutinib ), Bristol Myers Squibb ’s Sprycel (dasatinib) and Novartis’ Gleevec/Glivec (imatinib) and Tasigna (nilotinib) . The therapy also showed an MMR rate of 69.3% at 48 weeks, compared to an MMR of 40.2% with Gleevec. “Scemblix is the first CML treatment to show significantly better efficacy compared to investigator-selected standard-of-care TKIs,” said Dr Tim Hughes, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), in the company announcement accompanying the results. “When you combine superior response with the excellent safety and tolerability profile of Scemblix, we have a very promising potential frontline option for newly diagnosed patients to support them in achieving their treatment goals.” See Also: BioNTech and CEPI expand deal to boost Africa’s vaccine capabilities Self-amplifying RNA and vaccine innovation: getting from concept to clinic The Scemblix patient group also observed lower adverse event (AE) rates of 38% for Grade 3 or worse adverse events, compared to the 55% and 44% AE rates in the Gleevec monotherapy and investigator-selected SoC groups, respectively. Scemblix is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase protein found in CML cells and stops cell growth and multiplication. In 2021, it received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a third-line therapy for patients with Ph+ CML in the chronic phase. Novartis plans to submit the data from the trial to the FDA via the agency’s Oncology Center of Excellence Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) programme. The company reported $136m in sales for Scemblix in Q1 this year, with GlobalData expecting the therapy to pull in approximately $2.4bn by 2030. GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology.