BASEL, Switzerland I October 6, 2015 I Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced final survival data from the Phase III coBRIM study showing that Cotellic (cobimetinib), when used with Zelboraf (vemurafenib), helped people with previously untreated BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma live significantly longer (overall survival, OS) compared to Zelboraf alone. Ongoing study monitoring did not identify any new safety signals. Long-term safety data are expected later this year.

“Overall survival is the gold standard endpoint in oncology, and the results we’ve seen in coBRIM show how the combination of Cotellic and Zelboraf can help people with BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma live longer than Zelboraf alone,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Product Development. “We are currently working with health authorities in their review of the Cotellic marketing applications and hope to bring this combination to people with advanced melanoma around the world in the coming months.”

The coBRIM overall survival results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting. Cotellic received approval in Switzerland in August for use in combination with Zelboraf as a treatment for patients with advanced melanoma. Last month, the EU Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion for Cotellic in combination with Zelboraf; a decision by the European Commission is expected by the end of 2015. A decision from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Roche’s new drug application is expected by November 11, 2015.

About melanoma

Melanoma is less common, but more aggressive and deadlier than other forms of skin cancer.1,2 A V600 mutation of the BRAF protein occurs in approximately half of melanomas, and should therefore be tested to identify the best treatment option.3 When melanoma is diagnosed early, it is generally a curable disease,4,5 but most people with advanced melanoma have a poor prognosis.2 More than 232,000 people worldwide are currently diagnosed with melanoma each year.6 In recent years, there have been significant advances in treatment for metastatic melanoma, and people with the disease have more options. However, it continues to be a serious health issue with a high unmet need and a steadily increasing incidence over the past 30 years.7

About Cotellic and Zelboraf in combination

Zelboraf was the first approved treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation as detected by a validated test, such as Roche’s cobas 4800 BRAF Mutation Test. Zelboraf is not indicated for use in patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma.  Cotellic (cobimetinib) is designed to selectively block the activity of MEK8, one of a series of proteins inside cells that make up the MAPK signaling pathway that helps regulate cell division and survival.9 In the majority of patients, resistance to BRAF-inhibitor monotherapy will eventually occur through re-activation of the MAPK pathway via MEK.10  Cotellic was developed to overcome resistance to BRAF-inhibition and prevent re-activation of the pathway.  Cotellic binds to MEK, while Zelboraf binds to mutant BRAF, to interrupt abnormal signalling that can cause tumours to grow.11,12

Cotellic is also being investigated in combination with several investigational medicines, including immunotherapy, in several tumour types such as non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Cotellic was discovered by Exelixis Inc. and is being developed by Roche in collaboration with Exelixis.

Roche in skin cancer

The Roche Group is the world’s leading provider of cancer care products, including anti-cancer treatments, supportive care products and diagnostics. In the area of skin cancer, Roche scientists have been studying treatments for nearly 20 years, bringing about medical breakthroughs and setting new standards of care.  Zelboraf and Erivedge, therapies for two of the most difficult-to-treat skin cancers, metastatic melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, have been used to treat more than 28,000 patients worldwide.  Roche is continuing to study skin cancer medicines as monotherapies and in combination with other investigational medicines, such as cancer immunotherapies, in several cancer types and diseases.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostics that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. Founded in 1896, Roche has been making important contributions to global health for more than a century. 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 chemotherapy.

In 2014, the Roche Group employed 88,500 people worldwide, invested 8.9 billion Swiss francs in R&D and posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. 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
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9.Khavari TA, et al. Ras/Erk MAPK signaling in epidermal homeostasis and neoplasia. Cell Cycle. 2007;6:2928-31.
10.Daud A, et al. Phase IB (BRIM7) results combining vemurafenib (VEM) and cobimetinib, a MEK inhibitor, in patients (pts) with advanced BRAFV600-mutated melanoma. Poster presented at 10th International Meeting of the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR); Philadelphia, PA, US; 17-20 November 2013.
11.Safaee Ardekani G, et al. The prognostic value of BRAF mutation in colorectal cancer and melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e47054.
12.Haferkamp S, et al. Vemurafenib induces senescence features in melanoma cells. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133:1601-9.

SOURCE: Roche