Roche Provides Update on Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for TECENTRIQ in First-line Metastatic Non-Squamous NSCLC

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY). On September 05 2018, Roche was notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the review period for the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) in combination with Avastin® (bevacizumab), carboplatin and paclitaxel for the initial treatment of people with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been extended by three months. The extension allows the FDA time to review additional information requested in support of the sBLA. FDA determined that the submission of this information constituted a major amendment to the sBLA resulting in this extension of the PDUFA goal date. The FDA is expected to make a decision on approval by December 05, 2018. In May 2018, TECENTRIQ in combination with Avastin, carboplatin and paclitaxel was granted Priority Review from the FDA for the initial treatment of people with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC based on results from the Phase III IMpower150 study.

About NSCLC

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally.^[1] Each year 1.59 million people die as a result of the disease; this translates into more than 4,350 deaths worldwide every day.^[2] Lung cancer can be broadly divided into two major types: NSCLC and small cell lung cancer. NSCLC is the most prevalent type, accounting for around 85% of all cases.^[2] NSCLC comprises non-squamous and squamous-cell lung cancer, the squamous form of which is characterised by flat cells covering the airway surface when viewed under a microscope. The squamous form tends to grow near the centre of the lung, and accounts for approximately 25-30% of all NSCLC cases.^[3]

About TECENTRIQ

TECENTRIQ is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1 expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, TECENTRIQ may enable the activation of T cells. TECENTRIQ has the potential to be used as a foundational combination partner with cancer immunotherapies, targeted medicines and various chemotherapies across a broad range of cancers.

Currently, Roche has eight Phase III lung cancer studies underway, evaluating TECENTRIQ alone or in combination with other medicines.

TECENTRIQ is already approved in the European Union, United States and more than 70 countries for people with previously treated metastatic NSCLC and for certain types of untreated or previously treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).

About Avastin (bevacizumab)

Avastin is a biologic cancer treatment approved across several types of cancers including advanced stages of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer, and recurrent glioblastoma. Avastin is approved in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC and, to-date, has helped over 500,000 patients lead longer lives. Avastin is considered a standard of care for the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC and has been proven to significantly extend overall survival (OS). Avastin is currently approved in combination with any platinum-based chemotherapy in Europe, and with paclitaxel/carboplatin in the US, in first-line non-squamous NSCLC, based on results of the pivotal Phase III E4599 study. Avastin was the first medicine to help people with previously untreated advanced, non-squamous NSCLC live longer (OS) than one year when added to chemotherapy.

About the TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) and Avastin (bevacizumab) combination

There is a strong scientific rationale to support combining TECENTRIQ and Avastin. The TECENTRIQ and Avastin regimen may enhance the potential of the immune system to combat a broad range of cancers, including first-line advanced NSCLC. Avastin, in addition to its established anti-angiogenic effects, may further enhance TECENTRIQ’s ability to restore anti-cancer immunity, by inhibiting VEGF-related immunosuppression, promoting T-cell tumour infiltration and enabling priming and activation of T-cell responses against tumour antigens.

About Roche in cancer immunotherapy

For more than 50 years, Roche has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in oncology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options that help a person’s own immune system fight cancer.

By applying our seminal research in immune tumour profiling within the framework of the Roche-devised cancer immunity cycle, we are accelerating and expanding the transformative benefits with TECENTRIQ to a greater number of people living with cancer. Our cancer immunotherapy development programme takes a comprehensive approach in pursuing the goal of restoring cancer immunity to improve outcomes for patients.

To learn more about the Roche approach to cancer immunotherapy please follow this link: http://www.roche.com/research_and_development/what_we_are_working_on/oncology/cancer-immunotherapy.htm

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 to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Thirty 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 nine 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 2017 employed about 94,000 people worldwide. In 2017, Roche invested CHF 10.4 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 53.3 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.

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References

1. Ferlay J et al. GLOBOCAN 2012 v1.0, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide. IARC CancerBase No. 11 [Internet]. Lyon France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2013. Available from: http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/fact_sheets_cancer.aspx. Accessed August 2018.
2. Barzi A, Pennell NA. Targeting angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer: agents in practice and clinical development. European J Clin Med Oncol 2010; 2(1):31–42.
3. American Cancer Society; what is non-small cell lung cancer [Internet]: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about/what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer.html. Accessed June 2018.