Workflow
Maintenance treatment
icon
Search documents
Roche Wins FDA Nod for Label Expansion of Tecentriq in Lung Cancer
ZACKSยท 2025-10-06 18:16
Core Insights - Roche's immunotherapy drug Tecentriq has received FDA approval for label expansion, allowing its use in combination with Jazz Pharmaceuticals' Zepzelca for maintenance treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) [1][2][9] Group 1: FDA Approval and Clinical Impact - The FDA approved Tecentriq and Tecentriq Hybreza in combination with Zepzelca for adult patients with ES-SCLC whose disease has not progressed after first-line induction therapy [2][9] - This approval represents the first and only combination therapy for first-line maintenance treatment of ES-SCLC [3] - The IMforte study demonstrated that the combination therapy reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 46% and the risk of death by 27% compared to Tecentriq alone, with median overall survival of 13.2 months versus 10.6 months [6][9] Group 2: Market Performance and Sales - Roche's shares have increased by 32.5% year to date, outperforming the industry growth of 10.7% [5] - Tecentriq sales reached CHF 1.7 billion in the first half of 2025, contributing to the overall growth in Roche's Pharmaceuticals Division, which saw a 10% increase in sales to CHF 24 billion [10][11] Group 3: Strategic Acquisitions and Pipeline Developments - Roche announced the acquisition of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company 89bio, Inc. for $3.5 billion, aimed at enhancing its portfolio in cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases [12] - The acquisition will incorporate 89bio's pegozafermin, currently in late-stage development for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis [13] Group 4: Challenges and Setbacks - Despite strong performance in key areas, Roche faces pipeline setbacks, including the failure of the phase III ARNASA study for astegolimab in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [14] - The performance of Roche's Diagnostics division has also been disappointing [15]