Roche reports positive data from new melanoma drug trial

Roche has announced that its investigational MEK inhibitor cobimetinib has shown efficacy in the treatment of advanced melanoma in a new clinical trial.

Data from the phase III coBRIM study demonstrated that cobimetinib, when used in combination with Roche's approved BRAF inhibitor Zelboraf, helped patients with previously untreated BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma live significantly longer without their disease worsening, compared to Zelboraf alone.

It means the drug was able to meet its primary endpoint in the trial, the results of which will now be used to support submissions to regulatory authorities worldwide in the coming months.

Cobimetinib is designed to selectively block the activity of MEK, one of a series of proteins inside cells that creates a signaling pathway to help regulate cell division and survival.

Dr Sandra Horning, chief medical officer and head of global product development at Roche, said: "Despite great progress in our understanding and therapy in recent years, advanced melanoma remains a difficult and deadly disease that requires more treatment options."

This comes after the firm recently confirmed that it will be acquiring Seragon Pharmaceuticals through its subsidiary Genentech, a move that will strengthen its capabilities in the field of breast cancer research.