On November 1, 2018 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that new data for its approved and investigational medicines across a range of blood diseases, and including several first-in-class medicines, will be presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting from 1-4 December, 2018 (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530483]). Ten Roche medicines will be featured in more than 70 abstracts, including 25 oral presentations, across 15 blood diseases.
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"We look forward to sharing progress from our broad development programme in haematology at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) this year, reflecting our approach to understand mechanisms of blood diseases at the molecular level," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "We are excited to be presenting data across multiple blood diseases, including studies of several first-in-class medicines with the potential to transform standards of care and improve patients’ lives."
Hemlibra (emicizumab), which represents the first new class of medicine in nearly 20 years for people with haemophilia A, will be featured in 12 abstracts at the congress. New data in children younger than 12 with haemophilia A with and without factor VIII inhibitors will be presented, including the full results from the pivotal HAVEN 2 study evaluating three different Hemlibra dosing options (once weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks) in children with haemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors. Additionally, treatment preference data from the pivotal HAVEN 3 study in people with haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors and the pivotal HAVEN 4 study in people with haemophilia A with and without factor VIII inhibitors will be presented. Hemlibra was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors and is the only haemophilia treatment that can be administered subcutaneously and at multiple dosing options for all people with haemophilia A, with and without factor VIII inhibitors.
Roche will also share data for medicines for a range of blood cancers, across multiple lines of treatment. Highlights include updated results from the phase III MURANO study evaluating Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). In addition, data evaluating Venclexta/Venclyxto in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) will be featured, including two phase Ib/II combination studies (M14-358 study and M14-387 study). Venclexta/Venclyxto was recently approved in Europe and the United States as a treatment for relapsed or refractory CLL, and is currently under review by the FDA for the treatment of previously untreated AML in combination with a hypomethylating agent or in combination with low dose cytarabine, with a decision expected by end of year. Venclexta/Venclyxto is being developed by AbbVie and Roche.
Updated efficacy data from the phase II GO29365 study evaluating polatuzumab vedotin, an investigational anti-CD79b antibody drug conjugate, in combination with MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab) plus bendamustine, in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), will also be presented. The results of the DLBCL portion of the GO29365 study will be submitted to health authorities around the world for approval consideration. Data from the phase III GALLIUM study of Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab) in previously untreated follicular lymphoma which support the prognostic value of minimal residual disease status at the end of induction treatment will also be presented.
Finally, Roche will present early data for two novel T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which includes initial efficacy and safety results from the first clinical trials for the investigational medicines mosunetuzumab and CD20-TCB. These bispecific antibodies redirect T-cells to engage and eliminate malignant B-cells. This builds on Roche’s extensive history and expertise in the development of anti-CD20 antibodies for the treatment of numerous B-cell malignancies.
Key abstracts featuring Roche medicines that will be presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) can be found in the table below.
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About Roche in haematology
For more than 20 years, Roche has been developing medicines that redefine treatment in haematology. Today, we are investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to people with diseases of the blood. In addition to approved medicines MabThera//Rituxan (rituximab), Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab), and Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in collaboration with AbbVie, Roche’s pipeline of investigational haematology medicines includes Tecentriq (atezolizumab), an anti-CD79b antibody drug conjugate (polatuzumab vedotin/RG7596) and a small molecule which inhibits the interaction of MDM2 with p53 (idasanutlin/RG7388). Roche’s dedication to developing novel molecules in haematology expands beyond malignancy, with the development of Hemlibra (emicizumab), a bispecific monoclonal antibody for the treatment of haemophilia A.