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NHS England to Introduce Europe’s First Injectable Cancer Immunotherapy

The five-minute nivolumab jab, approved by the MHRA, will benefit 1,200 patients monthly, replacing IV infusions for 15 cancer types at no additional cost.

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Around two in five patients who currently receive IV nivolumab, also called Opdivo, which is one of the most widely used cancer treatments, should be eligible for the new jab (Photo: REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo)
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Overview

  • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a new injectable form of the immunotherapy drug nivolumab, also known as Opdivo.
  • This under-the-skin injection, which takes just 3–5 minutes to administer, will replace 30–60 minute intravenous infusions for eligible patients.
  • The rollout, starting in May 2025, will make the NHS the first health service in Europe to offer this innovation, benefiting around 1,200 patients per month.
  • The switch to the injectable form is expected to save approximately 1,000 hours of treatment time for patients and clinicians each month, improving hospital capacity.
  • Thanks to a procurement agreement, the NHS will provide this treatment at no additional cost, enhancing efficiency while maintaining affordability.