17 November 2017
Roche, CD20, Lymphoma, ADCC (antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity)
The first treatment option to demonstrate superior progression-free survival over standard-of-care Rituxan-based therapy
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) in combination with chemotherapy, followed by Gazyva alone in those who responded, for people with previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma (stage II bulky, III or IV). The approval is based on results from the phase III GALLIUM study, which showed superior progression-free survival (PFS) for patients who received this Gazyva-based regimen compared with those who received a Rituxan® (rituximab)-based regimen as an initial (first-line) therapy. Follicular lymphoma, the most common slow-growing (indolent) form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), is incurable and becomes harder to treat each time it returns.