Novartis signs agreement with UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool to license generics of its CML drug

Novartis has signed a deal with the Medicines Patent Pool to allow generic production of its patented drug Tasigna (nilotinib) to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This landmark agreement represents the first time that a commerical pharma company will voluntarily allow licensing of the generic of a patented cancer drug.