Novartis announced this week that the FDA has approved ribociclib (marketed as Kisqali) for the treatment of people with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR-positive,

The potential market for the Novartis drug Kisqali could grow markedly, now that certain early-stage breast cancer patients will be able to receive it.

An FDA approval has officially lifted the curtain on a blockbuster market showdown between Novartis and Eli Lilly in early breast cancer. | An FDA approval has officially lifted the curtain on a blockbuster market showdown between Novartis' Kisqali and Eli Lilly's Verzenio in early breast cancer.

Novartis said its Kisqali breast cancer drug produced longer success for those with certain forms of the disease.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of Kisqali, a drug for metastatic breast cancer, to also treat patients with earlier stages of the disease, drugmaker Novartis said Tuesday.

Novartis AG’s breast cancer drug helped prevent the disease coming back a year after treatment had ended, in new data that will be closely compared with a rival product from Eli Lilly.

The FDA approval of Kisqali for this early breast cancer population, including those with NO [hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes] disease, is a pivotal moment in improving our approach to care,” said Dr.

Women with early stage breast cancer may now take Kisqali, a medication already approved for advanced disease.