Roche Holding Ltd. (RHHBY) reports healthcare developments across medicines, diagnostics and digital health, including updates from Genentech as a member of the Roche Group. Recurring news covers operating and financial results, regional sales trends, product performance and regulatory disclosures tied to the company’s pharmaceutical and diagnostic portfolios.
Company updates frequently feature ophthalmology products and pipeline assets such as Vabysmo, Susvimo and vamikibart across retinal conditions including diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Roche also reports clinical data in neurology and autoimmune disease, including fenebrutinib in multiple sclerosis and ENSPRYNG in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease, along with diagnostics approvals and patient-education initiatives.
The latest data from Roche presented at EHA2021 highlights the effectiveness of Venclexta/Venclyxto in treating blood cancers.
A four-year follow-up from the phase III CLL14 study revealed a progression-free survival rate of 74.0% in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients.
Furthermore, the MURANO study indicates genetic factors could help customize treatment strategies.
Additionally, VIALE-A's analysis shows improved outcomes for acute myeloid leukaemia patients achieving undetectable minimal residual disease.
Roche announced interim results from two studies of Evrysdi (risdiplam) for treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The JEWELFISH trial showed a consistent safety profile and over a 2-fold increase in SMN protein levels in patients aged 1-60 with prior treatment. In the RAINBOWFISH study, pre-symptomatic babies treated for a year achieved significant motor milestones. Evrysdi is now approved in 44 countries, addressing unmet needs in the SMA community.
Roche has received CE mark approval for its SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal, enabling convenient at-home COVID-19 testing using a nasal swab. Initially available in certain European markets since February 2021, the test can now be widely accessed through pharmacies. It provides results in 15 minutes and integrates with NAVIFY Pass, a digital solution for sharing test results and vaccination status. Roche's CEO emphasized home testing's role in pandemic management, allowing individuals to assess their potential infectiousness and support public health efforts.
Roche (OTCQX: RHHBY) announced promising data on its investigational therapies for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting. The bispecific antibodies, mosunetuzumab and glofitamab, demonstrated significant treatment responses, with complete response rates of 71.4% and 54.5% respectively in clinical trials. Roche is targeting a regulatory filing for mosunetuzumab in follicular lymphoma by the end of 2021. Approximately 500,000 new NHL cases are diagnosed annually, highlighting the urgent need for new treatment options amid limited existing therapies.
Roche announced the European Commission's approval of Venclyxto (venetoclax) in combination with hypomethylating agents for adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. The VIALE-A study showed that Venclyxto plus azacitidine improved overall survival, reducing the risk of death by 34%, with median survival of 14.7 months compared to 9.6 months with azacitidine alone. The approval opens new treatment options for AML patients, significantly enhancing complete response rates and overall survival outcomes.
Roche (RHHBY) announced interim results from the Phase III IMpower010 study, indicating that Tecentriq (atezolizumab) significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) by 34% for patients with PD-L1-positive resectable early-stage lung cancer compared to best supportive care (BSC). Specifically, median DFS was not reached for Tecentriq, while BSC showed 35.3 months. The overall study cohort saw a 21% reduction in recurrence or death risk. Safety outcomes aligned with known profiles, with 92.7% experiencing adverse events. Full results will be presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting.
Genentech, part of Roche, released interim results from the Phase III IMpower010 study, revealing that Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) significantly reduces the risk of disease recurrence or death in patients with Stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1≥1%. Specifically, disease-free survival (DFS) improved by 34% compared to best supportive care (BSC). Median DFS for Tecentriq is yet to be reached, while BSC stands at 35.3 months. The safety profile remained consistent, with adverse events occurring in 92.7% of Tecentriq patients. Full results will be presented at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting.
On May 18, 2021, Roche announced that its cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Test received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA for testing asymptomatic individuals, expanding COVID-19 testing to help reduce virus spread. The test can process pooled samples of up to six individuals, supporting CDC guidance amid findings that asymptomatic individuals account for over half of COVID-19 transmissions. Roche previously enabled 160 million molecular tests in 2020 and continues to innovate in diagnostics, emphasizing public health and the safe reopening of communities.
Roche announced new findings from 19 cancer treatments to be presented at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting, scheduled for June 4-8, 2021. The data emphasizes patient-centric approaches, particularly for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through Tecentriq, which improves disease-free survival. Roche also highlights tumor-agnostic therapies and data in breast and blood cancer treatments. Significant studies, including ALPHA-T and TAPISTRY, focus on personalized care and decentralized trials. Roche aims to enhance treatment accessibility and equity in oncology.
Roche's Tecentriq (atezolizumab) has received European Commission approval as a first-line treatment for adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibiting high PD-L1 expression. This decision presents an alternative to chemotherapy for eligible patients and represents Tecentriq's fourth indication in metastatic NSCLC and fifth in lung cancer overall within the EU. The approval is based on the Phase III IMpower110 study, demonstrating a significant overall survival improvement of 7.1 months compared to chemotherapy. Roche's development program for Tecentriq continues to expand across various cancer types.