FDA Grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Genentech's Investigational Cancer Immunotherapy MPDL3280A (anti-PDL1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Second FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MPDL3280A following bladder cancer in 2014 South San Francisco, Calif. -- February 1, 2015 --Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today that it has received a second Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational cancer immunotherapy MPDL3280A (anti-PDL1). The designation was granted for the treatment of people with PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1) positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy (and an appropriate targeted therapy for those with an EGFR mutation-positive or ALK-positive tumor). "Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally, and we are pleased the FDA has granted breakthrough designation for MPDL3280A in non-small cell lung cancer," said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. "We are committed to personalized healthcare, developing medicines like MPDL3280A with companion tests that may help us identify those who may be appropriate candidates for our medicines." This Breakthrough Therapy Designation is based on early results of MPDL3280A in people whose NSCLC was characterized as PD-L1 positive by an investigational test being developed by Roche. All studies of MPDL3280A are prospectively evaluating PD-L1 expression. Some studies will evaluate the medicine regardless of a tumor's PD-L1 status; other studies are evaluating the medicine only in people whose tumors are characterized as PD-L1 positive. Breakthrough Therapy Designation is designed to expedite the development and review of medicines intended to treat serious diseases and to help ensure patients have access to them through FDA approval as soon as possible. The FDA granted the first Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MPDL3280A in metastatic bladder cancer in 2014. Ongoing pivotal studies of MPDL3280A include lung and bladder cancer, and we plan to initiate Phase III studies in additional tumor types this year.
About MPDL3280A (anti-PDL1) MPDL3280A (also known as anti-PDL1 and RG7446) is an investigational monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with a protein called PD-L1. MPDL3280A is designed to target PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, preventing it from binding to PD-1 and B7.1 on the surface of T cells. By inhibiting PD-L1, MPDL3280A may enable the activation of T cells, restoring their ability to effectively detect and attack tumor cells.
About Lung Cancer According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that more than 221,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015, and NSCLC accounts for 85 percent of all lung cancers. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of lung cancer diagnoses in the United States are made when the disease is in the advanced stages.
About Genentech in Lung Cancer Lung cancer is a major area of focus and investment for Genentech, and we are committed to developing new approaches, medicines and tests that can help people with this deadly disease. Our goal is to provide an effective treatment option for every person diagnosed with lung cancer. We currently have two approved medicines to treat certain kinds of lung cancer and more than 10 medicines being developed to target the most common genetic drivers of lung cancer or to boost the immune system to combat the disease.
About Genentech in Cancer Immunotherapy For more than 30 years, Genentech 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. Our personalized cancer immunotherapy research and development program comprises more than 20 investigational candidates, seven of which are in clinical trials. All studies include the evaluation of biomarkers to determine which people may be appropriate candidates for our medicines.
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