Roche announced that new results from studies with its approved or investigational medicines across more than 20 cancer types will be presented during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress from 7 – 11 October 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
These include the first pivotal phase III results for Tecentriq, outcomes from early studies of cancer immunotherapy-based combinations, results from clinical studies with a broad range of Roche’s investigational medicines, and new insights from studies that continue to shape a better understanding of how different types of cancer develop and affect people around the world.
“At Roche, our focus on understanding human immunology and cancer biology is helping us to develop new medicines that improve outcomes for people with cancer,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “We look forward to the presentation of the pivotal OAK data for Tecentriq during ESMO’s Presidential Symposium, as well as other presentations such as new data from our collaboration with Foundation Medicine that showcase how we are expanding our understanding of each individual’s cancer.”
At ESMO, positive results from the Tecentriq phase III lung cancer study known as OAK will be presented as a “late-breaking” abstract in the ESMO Presidential Symposium 2 on Sunday, 9 October. Roche recently announced that the study met its co-primary endpoints and showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with docetaxel chemotherapy in people with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progressed on or after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. In the United States, Roche’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for Tecentriq in NSCLC was granted Priority Review with an action date of 19 October 2016.
In addition to OAK, 19 Roche cancer immunotherapy abstracts featuring Tecentriq and other innovative molecules will be presented. This includes early data assessing Tecentriq in an investigational combination with the approved, targeted Roche medicines Zelboraf® (vemurafenib) and Cotellic® (cobimetinib) in melanoma, and as a novel investigational combination with Cotellic in colorectal cancer.
About Roche in Oncology
Roche has been working to transform cancer care for more than 50 years, bringing the first specifically designed anti-cancer chemotherapy drug, fluorouracil, to patients in 1962. Roche’s commitment to developing innovative medicines and diagnostics for cancers remains steadfast.
The Roche Group’s portfolio of innovative cancer medicines includes: Alecensa® (alectinib); Avastin® (bevacizumab); Cotellic® (cobimetinib); Erivedge® (vismodegib); Gazyva®/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab); Herceptin® (trastuzumab); Kadcyla® (trastuzumab emtansine); MabThera/Rituxan® (rituximab); Perjeta® (pertuzumab); Tarceva® (erlotinib); Tecentriq® (atezolizumab); Venclexta™ (venetoclax); Xeloda® (capecitabine); Zelboraf® (vemurafenib). Furthermore the Roche Group has a robust investigational oncology pipeline focusing on new therapeutic targets and novel combination strategies.
In addition to Roche’s innovative portfolio of cancer medicines, Roche is constantly developing new diagnostic tests that will have a significant impact on disease management for cancer patients. Within the Roche Group there are more than 350 pharmaceutical and diagnostics collaborations, far more than half of which are in the field of oncology. With a broad portfolio of tumour markers for prostate, colorectal, liver, ovarian, breast, stomach, pancreatic and lung cancer, as well as a range of tissue and molecular oncology tests that contribute to personalised cancer care today, Roche is leading a new era of innovation in the fight against cancer.
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives.Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. Twenty-nine medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry eight years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.
The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2015 employed more than 91,700 people worldwide. In 2015, Roche invested CHF 9.3 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 48.1 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com
