Cabazitaxel, Sanofi. The strategy

Cabazitaxel is a very close analogue to Docetaxel. Docetaxel patent was expired therefore Sanofi would replace it with something similar in order to profit the taxane platform. They found Cabazitaxel. Well, Docetaxel and Cabazitaxel (find 2 differences between them on the picture) are very efficient drugs against several cancer indications, no doubt about it, but according to Sanofi ‘s strategy the switch from Docetaxel to Cabazitaxel (the treatment with both are very similar) would generate a huge profit due to Docetaxel as generica should be much cheaper than Cabazitaxel. And the NICE of course has rejected this scenario:

NICE, the healthcare guidance body, has today (11 May) published final guidance in which it recommends against the routine use of cabazitaxel (Jevtana, Sanofi) in combination with prednisone or prednisolone as a second line treatment for prostate cancer.

Commenting on the guidance Sir Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive of NICE said: “We need to be sure that new treatments provide sufficient benefits to patients to justify the significant resources the NHS would need to make available. Although cabazitaxel can extend life for some patients, its price remains well above what the independent Committee appraising this drug considered acceptable, given the benefits it offers. Cabazitaxel is also associated with a number of side effects, and the Committee was concerned about the nature of the health-related quality of life information provided by the manufacturer.”

Good products and happy-end story…