AbbVie to Launch Ovarian Cancer Drug ELAHERE in UK at US Price Levels
New Delhi: AbbVie has announced that it will launch its ovarian cancer drug ELAHERE (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) in the United Kingdom at a list price equivalent to that in the United States, underscoring the company's strategy to ensure that developed nations recognize the value of its innovation.
ELAHERE, a first-in-class FRα-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC), is indicated for adult patients with folate receptor-alpha positive, platinum-resistant high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior systemic regimens. It is the first new treatment in a decade licensed in the UK for this category of ovarian cancer.
“Developed markets must recognize and support the value that innovative therapies bring to patients and societies to help ensure sustainable access and continued investment in medical innovation so that patients everywhere benefit from the next generation of therapies,” said Jeff Stewart, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, AbbVie.
The company confirmed it is in discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to secure fair value assessment for ELAHERE, which will determine its launch viability in the UK.
The drug, which received European Commission approval in November 2024 and full FDA approval in March 2024, was granted authorization by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) earlier in July.
Globally, AbbVie is positioning ELAHERE as a transformative therapy in oncology, supported by its broader pipeline of more than 35 investigational medicines across both blood cancers and solid tumors.
ELAHERE is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets folate receptor alpha (FRα), a protein highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells. It combines a monoclonal antibody with a potent cytotoxic agent, DM4 (a tubulin inhibitor), to deliver targeted killing of cancer cells while limiting systemic exposure. The therapy is designed to address patients with limited treatment options and high unmet need in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
