The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said on Wednesday that about 1,300 patients with lung cancer were expected to receive the drug through the Cancer Drugs Fund as a result of the deal.

"This new deal means that we can give patients access to what we know is a promising treatment whilst more evidence is gathered on its value," said Carole Longson, director of the NICE centre for health technology evaluation.

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Edmund Blair)