This update applies to patients living in the UK.
On March 11th 2026, NICE (National Institute for Health Care and Excellence) approved epcoritamab (Tepkinly, by AbbVie) for adults in the UK with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) who have received two or more prior lines of systemic treatment. This means epcoritamab is now available on the NHS as a new option for people whose lymphoma has returned (relapsed) or is no longer responding to previous treatments (refractory).
This approval represents an important development for people living with FL in the UK, particularly in later lines of therapy where meaningful options have been limited.
What is epcoritamab?
Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous bispecific antibody designed to bring T cells directly into contact with lymphoma cells so the immune system can better target and kill them. It is the first bispecific antibody recommended by NICE for patients with follicular lymphoma, offering a novel therapeutic approach in later lines of treatment.
Because it is delivered by subcutaneous injection (under the skin), epcoritamab may offer a simpler method of administration compared to some existing options.
Why does this matter for FL patients?
For adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic treatment, NICE recommends that treatment with epcoritamab can continue for up to three years, or be stopped sooner if the lymphoma progresses. People already receiving epcoritamab who do not fully meet the new criteria may continue treatment if they and their healthcare team agree it remains appropriate.
This approval provides:
• A new option for patients needing treatment after two prior therapies
• A novel mechanism of action through T cell engagement
• A potentially more manageable route of administration
As with all FL treatments, shared decision making is encouraged. It is always important for patients to discuss how the treatment compares with alternatives, its side effect profile, and how it may affect daily life.
What evidence supports NICE’s decision?
NICE based its approval on results from the EPCORE NHL 1 Phase 1/2 trial, which evaluated epcoritamab in adults with relapsed or refractory FL who had received two or more previous treatments.
Key results include:
• Overall response rate: 82% (105 of 128 patients)
• Complete response rate: 62.5% (80 of 128 patients)
These response levels are notable in a population with difficult to treat disease, where each successive relapse typically becomes harder to control. Neutropenia, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and immune effector cell neurotoxicity were among the more common side effects reported, consistent with this class of immunotherapies.
Where else is epcoritamab approved for patients with FL?
In the USA, epcoritamab was approved by the FDA in November 2025, in combination with rituximab + lenalidomide (R²) for adults with relapsed or refractory FL after at least one prior line of therapy. See our news article breaking down the announcement: here.
Epcoritamab is also now fully approved by the FDA as a monotherapy for relapsed or refractory FL after two or more lines, advancing from its earlier accelerated approval in 2024.
These approvals were supported by robust data from the EPCORE FL 1 Phase 3 trial, showing significant improvements in progression free survival and response rates compared with R² alone.
Outside the USA and UK epcoritamab is not yet approved in FL, though several regulatory processes across Europe are advancing.
The future of epcoritamab
The next phase of research for epcoritamab is especially encouraging. The EPCORE FL 1 Phase 3 trial has shown that combining epcoritamab with R² in patients with only one prior line of treatment can deliver significantly deeper and more durable responses than R² alone.
These findings raise the possibility that epcoritamab based regimens could play a meaningful role earlier in the FL treatment pathway, potentially reshaping standards of care. Additional trials are underway, and further data expected over the coming years will help clarify the full potential of this therapy.
Other bispecific antibody treatments in development or early approval stages across lymphoma, such as mosunetuzumab and glofitamab, represent an expanding landscape of immune engaging therapies.
Further information
This article is for information purposes only, and we recommend that you speak with your healthcare team if you have any questions around suitability and regional accessibility of therapy options.
Want to learn more?
If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing us at info@theflf.org.
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