Novartis' Scemblix Outperforms Standard Treatments in Phase III Leukemia Trial

Novartis' Phase III ASC4FIRST trial shows that Scemblix® (asciminib) is more effective and has a better safety profile than standard-of-care tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in treating newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Scemblix achieved higher major molecular response rates at week 48 compared to other TKIs and imatinib alone, with fewer adverse events and treatment discontinuations. The trial results have been submitted to the FDA for review, and Scemblix has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation.