Roche announces positive phase III results for Tarceva

Roche has announced that its Saturn phase III study met one of its secondary endpoints and has extended the overall survival rate in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The participants in question received Tarceva (erlotinib) immediately after their initial chemotherapy sessions.

All the information about the study will be presented at the upcoming World Conference on Lung Cancer, which will take place between July 31st and August 4th 2009.

Commenting on the outcome of the study, William Burns, chief executive officer of Roche Pharmaceuticals Division, said: “These results confirm that Tarceva has an important role to play in improving the lives of patients earlier in the management of this devastating disease.”

Professor Federico Cappuzzo, lead investigator of the Saturn trial, said that the results are “good news” for both doctors and their patients.

Earlier this month, the firm announced that trial results showed that its Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) therapy improved vision in people with branch retinal vein occlusion.