New targeted treatment option for patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

VENCLEXTA plus rituximab is a targeted, fixed duration therapy for patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy.1
VENCLEXTA is based on the Australian discovery that a protein called BCL-2 helps CLL cells survive. Blocking this protein helps to kill and reduce the number of these cancer cells.2
Each year in Australia around 1400 people are diagnosed with CLL3 making it the most common type of leukaemia diagnosed in Australia.4

Sunday 24 February 2019, Sydney – AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) Australia welcomes the Government's announcement that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) will now have access to VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) in combination with rituximab, from March 1st 2019 on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

VENCLEXTA in combination with rituximab is a fixed duration treatment option for adults with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior CLL therapy.1

VENCLEXTA was developed as part of a research collaboration between AbbVie, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group of Companies, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Australia.

VENCLEXTA works by blocking a protein in the body ("BCL-2") that helps these cancer cells survive. Blocking this protein helps to kill and reduce the number of cancer cells, and may slow the spread of CLL.

Each year in Australia around 1400 people are diagnosed with CLL,3 making it the most common type of leukaemia diagnosed in Australia.4

Professor John Seymour, MBBS, Director of Clinical Haematology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia, welcomed the PBS listing.

"The reimbursement of VENCLEXTA for patients with relapsed / refractory CLL marks a major milestone in the clinical development journey that included the first patients in the world receiving this agent on clinical trials in Melbourne in 2011. It is extremely gratifying that this therapy is now available to patients with CLL nationally."

Professor Andrew Roberts, Cancer Theme Leader at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, said the listing of VENCLEXTA is testimony to the effectiveness of Australian medical innovation.

"New medicines like VENCLEXTA don't happen by accident. They are the result of careful laboratory and clinical research over many years. The idea behind VENCLEXTA arose from a basic research discovery in Melbourne 30 years ago. Collaboration has been central to the successful development of this drug, with Australian scientists and clinical researchers playing prominent roles in taking the initial discovery all the way from the lab into this new treatment for patients."

Kirsten O'Doherty, General Manager AbbVie Australia commended the Government for listing VENCLEXTA with rituximab on the PBS.

"Today is an exciting day for everyone involved in the discovery and development of this novel cancer treatment. Not only does it mean Australian patients with CLL have more treatment options, it marks a significant step in AbbVie's investment in translating local R&D into addressing unmet needs through innovative new treatments.

"We are particularly proud of the global collaboration between Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, AbbVie and Genentech that has brought us to this moment and we will continue our focus on making a remarkable impact on patient lives," said Ms O'Doherty.

About VENCLEXTA®

VENCLEXTA® is used, in combination with rituximab or alone, to treat a condition called "Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)".

VENCLEXTA in combination with rituximab will be listed on the PBS from 1 March 2019 for CLL patients who have relapsed or are refractory to at least one prior therapy and who are unsuitable for treatment or retreatment with a purine analogue.

The active substance in this medicine is called venetoclax. VENCLEXTA works by blocking a protein in the body ("BCL-2") that helps these cancer cells survive. Blocking this protein helps to kill and reduce the number of cancer cells, and may slow the spread of CLL. This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

All medicines have risks and benefits and may impact people in different ways. Refer to the safety information below, the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) which can be located at http://www.medicines.org.au/files/vecvencl.pdf and your doctor

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