Basel, 11 May 2017
Roche to present new data on personalised medicines and cancer immunotherapies at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
- 20 Roche medicines are included in more than 190 abstracts during ASCO 2017
- New pivotal results for Perjeta (pertuzumab) and Alecensa (alectinib) improve upon standards of care
- Early results from Roche’s broad cancer development programme preview next generation of cancer immunotherapy including Roche’s first T-cell bispecific antibody
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced new data on 20 approved and investigational medicines will be presented during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting from 2nd – 6th June in Chicago, United States. More than 190 abstracts have been accepted, including two “late breakers” and 24 oral presentations.
“We are making significant advances with personalised medicines and cancer immunotherapies,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “With continued research and collaborations, we are striving to develop medicines and combinations, incorporate sophisticated diagnostics and integrate big data in our effort to get closer to the goal of curing cancer.”
Key highlights from the Roche oncology portfolio include new results from the APHINITY study in early breast cancer and the ALEX study in lung cancer. Both of these studies will be highlighted as part of ASCO’s official press program on Monday 5th June. APHINITY is a randomised phase III study, investigating Perjeta® plus Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy as an adjuvant (after surgery) treatment for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. The APHINITY study was conducted in collaboration with the Breast International Group (BIG), Breast European Adjuvant Study Team (BrEAST) and Frontier Science Foundation (FS). ALEX is a randomised, multicentre, open-label phase III study that compared Alecensa® and crizotinib in people with previously untreated ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
There has been great progress in the area of cancer immunotherapy in recent years and Roche continues to investigate novel ways to harness the immune system in the fight against cancer as part of its vision to bring the next generation of cancer immunotherapies to patients. With more than 20 investigational cancer immunotherapies in development and 12 in clinical trials, Roche will be presenting early results on its first T-cell bispecific antibody (CEA-CD3 TCB: RG7802; RO6958688) for the treatment of CEA-positive cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). These data have been generated from two ongoing dose-escalation phase I studies in which CEA-CD3 TCB is used alone or in combination with TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab).
An analyst briefing to discuss key data presented on the Roche Group’s oncology products and pipeline at ASCO 2017 will take place on Monday 5 June from 5:15 -6:45 pm CDT at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Magnificent Mile. This event, independently organized by Roche, is open to analysts and investors who have registered for the event. To register for the event, please follow the link (Password: Analyst2017).
Follow Roche on Twitter via @Roche and keep up to date with ASCO 2017 Annual Meeting news and updates by using the hashtag #ASCO17. For more information on Roche’s approach to cancer, visit the Roche Oncology Hub at Roche.com.
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. 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.
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.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims for improving patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. 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 (DJSI).
The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2016 employed more than 94,000 people worldwide. In 2016, Roche invested CHF 9.9 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 50.6 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.