Roche to present cancer study results

Roche has announced plans to present abstracts for its cancer studies.

More than 20 types of the disease are to be focused on when the company discusses its findings and the results may “significantly improve” the treatment of some cancers, it said.

The results include “encouraging” figures for Roche’s targeted BRAF inhibitor for malignant melanoma and a completed first phase III study for Avastin in early-stage colon cancer.

Chief executive officer of Roche’s pharmaceuticals division William Burns said the data was “strong”, especially for types of the disease that are traditionally very difficult to treat.

News of the presentation follows a statement released by Roche last week detailing its additional donation of Tamiflu packs to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This consisted of 5.65 million treatment courses, including a new paediatric stockpile of 30 mg and 45 mg capsules.

Mr Burns remarked: “The recent outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) shows that such a virus can be totally unexpected and spread rapidly around the globe.

“This emphasizes the urgency of restoring WHO and Roche Rapid Response Stockpiles.”