Pharming receives positive recommendation from NICE for Joenja▼(leniolisib) as a treatment for APDS
April 23, 2025 – Clinical Trials, Drug Discovery, Other, Pharmaceutical – APDS, NICE, NICE recommendation, Pharming Group NV, clinical trials, small molecules
- Joenja® is the first and only medicine specifically for APDS to be reimbursed within the NHS
- Recommended for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) syndrome (APDS).
23 April 2025 — Leiden, the Netherlands — Pharming Group N.V. announces that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued positive final guidance recommending Joenja® (leniolisib) for reimbursement and use within the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales for the treatment of activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) syndrome (APDS) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.
The NICE recommendation is based on the totality of the data, including the Phase III clinical trial evaluating leniolisib, an oral selective PI3Kδ inhibitor, in patients with APDS, a rare and progressive primary immunodeficiency. In the primary analysis, treatment with leniolisib led to significant improvements in immune deficiency and immune dysregulation compared to placebo. The Phase III trial demonstrated an improvement in clinical outcomes, which was maintained during longer-term treatment within the open-label extension trial.
Fabrice Chouraqui, Chief Executive Officer of Pharming, said: “This positive recommendation for Joenja® from NICE is a significant milestone for patients living with APDS in England and Wales. It underscores Pharming’s commitment to work closely with regulatory and reimbursement authorities, the medical immunology community, and patient associations to bring this first targeted treatment to patients who may benefit.”
Professor Sinisa Savic, Professor of Clinical Immunology at St James’s University Hospital, said: “Data from clinical trials demonstrate that leniolisib provides real benefits for patients with APDS, a rare primary immunodeficiency. APDS is a complex and progressive condition that leads to immune dysregulation and recurrent infections, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. The recommendation by NICE, which allows this targeted therapy to be prescribed on the NHS, marks an important step forward in improving treatment options for individuals with this condition.”
Dr Susan Walsh, Chief Executive Officer at Immunodeficiency UK, said: “This is a hugely welcomed decision that will make a massive difference to the lives of people with APDS, and their families, by potentially allowing them to have a better quality of life. With leniolisib, we now have a targeted treatment available that addresses the fundamental cause of the immune system problems experienced in APDS. This is a huge leap forward. We are grateful to Pharming for working with NICE to make this drug available via the NHS. Together, they have shown a real commitment to providing people affected by ultra-rare, immune system conditions the treatments they need.”
The final NICE recommendation aligns with the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) approval and falls under NICE’s Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) pathway, which evaluates treatments for very rare and severe diseases. Leniolisib is now available for use and funded in England through the Innovative Medicines Fund, ensuring immediate patient access. In Wales, leniolisib is expected to be funded within the next three months through the NHS in specialist centers.
Important Safety Information
The full Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC/SmPC) for Joenja® (leniolisib) is available on the MHRA website at https://products.mhra.gov.uk/.
About Pharming Group N.V.
Pharming Group N.V. is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with rare, debilitating, and life-threatening diseases. We are commercializing and developing a portfolio of innovative medicines, including small molecules and biologics. Pharming is headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands, and has employees around the globe who serve patients in over 30 markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.pharming.com
