Gleevec� Has Advanced the Treatment of Ph+ CML1,2

� In summary, Gleevec is one of the first drugs to be rationally designed to target a molecular

cause of disease.

� It is a potent and selective inhibitor of the abnormal fusion protein Bcr-Abl, whose tyrosine

kinase activity is the causative abnormality in CML.

� Imatinib mesylate is not entirely selective for the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase; it also inhibits the

receptor tyrosine kinases for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factor (SCF),

Kit, and inhibits PDGF- and SCF-mediated cellular events.

� Gleevec produces high rates of hematologic and cytogenetic response in all phases of disease:

chronic phase, accelerated phase, and blast crisis.

� Treatment with Gleevec in the early (chronic) stage of disease yields the best results.

� Time-to-progression is delayed for patients in chronic phase.

� Gleevec has a mild to moderate safety and tolerability profile.

� Gleevec enables convenient, once-daily, oral dosing. For patients receiving 800mg/day, twice

daily dosing is recommended.

� Gleevec is evolving first-line therapy for CML.

References

1. Gleevec� (imatinib mesylate) Prescribing Information. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Corporation; 2003.

2. Data on file. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ.