AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a pharmaceutical company headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois, has announced that the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Tepkinly (epcoritamab) for adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) whose cancer has relapsed or not responded to at least two prior treatments, only if they have previously had polatuzumab vedotin or it is contraindicated or not tolerated.

DLBCL, an aggressive blood cancer, affects nearly 5,500 people annually in the UK, with about 700 facing poor prognosis due to relapsed or refractory conditions. The NICE recommendation is based on the EPCORE NHL-1 trial data, showcasing a 62% overall response rate, including a 39% complete response rate.

Epcoritamab is part of a new class of therapies known as bispecific antibodies, designed to help the immune system attack and destroy cancerous cells. This subcutaneous injection option offers a treatment alternative administered under the skin, enhancing efficiency and patient experience.