The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has ruled Idefirix (imlifidase) clinically and cost-effective in highly sensitised adult patients prior to kidney transplant from a deceased donor.
The recommendation, which follows a positive ruling by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), marks an important milestone as highly sensitised patients are currently highly unlikely to receive a compatible kidney transplant.
Kidney transplant candidates are classified as highly sensitised if they have a broad and intense range of pre-formed antibodies (human leukocyte antigens) against almost all donor organs. Finding a match for these patients can be particularly difficult, leading to a longer average time on transplant waiting lists.
Dr Adnan Sharif, trustee at Kidney Research UK welcomed the decision, saying: “The decision making around who has access to the treatment is key, and the lifespan of the transplanted kidneys will need to be carefully monitored. But success could see many patients gain freedom from gruelling dialysis treatments”.
Idefirix was developed and manufactured by Hansa Biopharma and the company will work with health boards to implement the SMC’s recommendations.
