Roche to outline cancer pipeline developments at ASCO 2012

Roche will be attending the forthcoming annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), where it will present new data on several new cancer therapies.

Data on Roche's late-stage investigational and approved cancer medicines will be discussed during 30 oral presentations and other sessions, with the aim of demonstrating the company's pipeline progress in the last year.

Among the results to be discussed will be findings from Emilia, the first completed pivotal phase III trial of the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine, which is specified for advanced HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Further data will showcase the benefits of Avastin among colorectal and ovarian cancer patients, while updated survival results for the melanoma drug Zelboraf will also be presented.

Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer and head of global product development, said: "At ASCO, we're pleased to present new data showing how we are moving forward in our goal of helping people who need new options in their fight against a number of advanced cancers."

Earlier this month, the company was granted a final draft recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for its non-small-cell lung cancer drug Tarceva.