Roche receives approval for broader Avastin label

Roche has received European commission approval for a broader label on its Avastin therapy, it has announced.

In a statement, the organisation said that more patients with metastatic breast cancer can benefit from the drug now that it can be combined with docetaxel for first-line management of the condition.

William Burns, chief executive of the pharmaceutical division of Roche, said that Avastin is altering the way in which cancer is treated and noted that it has already demonstrated “significant benefits” across a range of different tumour types.

“This approval is positive news as more patients with advanced breast cancer could benefit from Avastin since physicians will now have more treatment options,” he added.

Roche noted that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women under the age of 55, with more than one million females diagnosed with the condition on a yearly basis.

Earlier this month, Roche’s MabThera (rituximab) received a positive recommendation from the EU’s Committee on Human Medicinal Products for its use in treating patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.