Genentech Showcases New Clinical Data across a Variety of Blood Diseases at American Society of Hematology 2016 Annual Meeting

  • New results from the Phase III GALLIUM study which compared Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) plus chemotherapy to Rituxan® (rituximab) plus chemotherapy in previously untreated follicular lymphoma will be presented in the Plenary Scientific Session
  • New results for Venclexta™ (venetoclax) and investigational medicine emicizumab will also be presented at the meeting
  • FDA has accepted the Biologics License Application for a subcutaneous formulation of Rituxan® (rituximab/hyaluronidase)

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--()--Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that more than 60 abstracts featuring nine of its approved or investigational medicines will be presented during the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting from December 3-6 in San Diego. The abstracts include more than 20 oral presentations across a broad range of medicines and combinations.

“The breadth of data we are presenting at ASH this year reflects our deep commitment to people with blood diseases,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “We are excited to share the results of the pivotal GALLIUM study in previously untreated follicular lymphoma, which showed that people treated with Gazyva plus chemotherapy lived significantly longer without their disease worsening than those treated with Rituxan plus chemotherapy.”

The results from the Phase III GALLIUM study have been selected for presentation during the Plenary Scientific Session, which honors the top six abstracts submitted to the meeting, as determined by the ASH Program Committee. Results from other studies of Gazyva will also be presented at the meeting, including an overall survival update from the Phase III GADOLIN study in Rituxan-refractory indolent (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and the first results from the Phase III GOYA study in previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Updated results from the Phase III SABRINA study comparing subcutaneous and intravenous Rituxan in previously untreated follicular lymphoma will be presented. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for the subcutaneous formulation of Rituxan, with an action date of June 26, 2017. Genentech and Biogen collaborate on Rituxan and Gazyva in the United States.

Early results will be shared for combinations of Venclexta with either Gazyva or Rituxan in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and certain types of NHL. Further follow-up from early studies in multiple myeloma (MM) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that support further investigation of Venclexta in these diseases will also be presented. Venclexta is being developed by AbbVie and Genentech.

The first cohort from a non-interventional study of people with hemophilia will be presented, including real world safety and efficacy data from patients with inhibitors to factor VIII replacement therapy treated with current standard of care according to routine clinical practice. Separately, there are currently three pivotal studies underway to explore the safety and efficacy of emicizumab in the treatment of hemophilia A: a Phase III study in people 12 years of age or older with hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors investigating weekly dosing; a Phase III study in people younger than 12 years of age with factor VIII inhibitors investigating weekly dosing; and a Phase III study in people 12 years of age or older without factor VIII inhibitors investigating weekly and every other week dosing. Emicizumab was created by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and is being co-developed by Genentech.

Key abstracts featuring Genentech medicines that will be presented at ASH can be found in the table below.

Follow Genentech on Twitter via @Genentech and keep up to date with ASH Annual Meeting news and updates by using the hashtag #ASH16.

Overview of key presentations featuring Genentech medicines at ASH 2016

Medicine   Abstract title   Abstract number/

Presentation details

Gazyva (investigational use)   Obinutuzumab-Based Induction and Maintenance Prolongs Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Previously Untreated Follicular Lymphoma: Primary Results of the Randomized Phase 3 GALLIUM Study   #6 (Plenary Scientific Session)

 

Sunday, Dec. 4

 

2:00–4:00 PM PT

Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma Treated with Obinutuzumab or Rituximab as First-Line Induction Immunochemotherapy in the Phase III GALLIUM Study   #613 (Oral presentation)

 

Monday, Dec. 5

 

7:00 AM PT

(7:00–8:30 AM PT)

 

Obinutuzumab or Rituximab plus CHOP in Patients with Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Final Results from an Open Label, Randomized Phase 3 Study (GOYA)

  #470 (Oral presentation)

 

Sunday, Dec. 4

 

4:45 PM PT

(4:30–6:00 PM PT)

Gazyva

(approved use, updated study results)

 

Obinutuzumab plus Bendamustine Followed by Obinutuzumab Maintenance Prolongs Overall Survival Compared with Bendamustine Alone in Patients with Rituximab-Refractory Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Updated Results of the GADOLIN Study

  #615 (Oral presentation)

 

Monday, Dec. 5

 

7:30 AM PT

(7:00–8:30 AM PT)

Rituxan (subcutaneous formulation)

 

(investigational)

 

Longer Term Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Compared with Intravenous Rituximab: Updated Results of the Phase III SABRINA Study

  #1103 (Oral presentation)

 

Monday, Dec. 5

 

5:30 PM PT

(4:30–6:00 PM PT)

Venclexta

(investigational use)

Safety and Efficacy of Venetoclax and Obinutuzumab in Patients with Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Coexisting Medical Conditions: Final Results of the Run-In Phase of the Randomized CLL14 Trial

  #2054 (Poster)

 

Saturday, Dec. 3

 

5:30–7:30 PM PT

Results of a Phase Ib Study of Venetoclax plus R- or G-CHOP in Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (CAVALLI)

  #3032 (Poster)

 

Sunday, Dec. 4

 

6:00–8:00 PM PT

Phase 2 Study of Venetoclax plus Rituximab or Randomized Venetoclax plus Bendamustine+Rituximab (BR) Versus BR in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: Interim Data (CONTRALTO)

  #617 (Oral presentation)

 

Monday, Dec. 5

 

8:00 AM PT

(7:00–8:30 AM PT)

 

Safety and Efficacy of Venetoclax plus Low-Dose Cytarabine in Treatment-Naive Patients Aged ≥65 Years with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (M14-387)

 

#2843 (Oral presentation)

 

Saturday, Dec. 3

 

10:45 AM PT

(9:30–11:30 AM PT)

Emicizumab

(investigational)

  Bleeding Events and Safety Outcomes in Patients with Hemophilia A with Inhibitors: A Prospective, Multicenter, Non-Interventional Study   #3800 (Poster)

 

Monday, Dec. 5

 

6:00–8:00 PM PT

Gazyva U.S. Indications

Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) is a prescription medicine used:

  • With the chemotherapy drug, chlorambucil, to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in adults who have not had previous CLL treatment.
  • With the chemotherapy drug, bendamustine, followed by Gazyva alone for follicular lymphoma (FL) in adults who did not respond to a rituximab-containing regimen, or whose FL returned after such treatment.

Important Safety Information

Patients must tell their doctor right away about any side effects they experience. Gazyva can cause side effects that can become serious or life threatening, including:

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Hepatitis B can cause liver failure and death. If a patient has had history of hepatitis B infection, Gazyva could cause it to return. Patients should not receive Gazyva if they have active hepatitis B liver disease. The patient’s doctor or healthcare team will need to screen for hepatitis B before, and monitor the patient for hepatitis during and after, treatment with Gazyva. Sometimes this will require treatment for hepatitis B. Symptoms of hepatitis include: worsening of fatigue and yellow discoloration of skin or eyes.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is a rare and serious brain infection caused by a virus. PML can be fatal. A patient’s weakened immune system could put the patient at risk. The patient’s doctor will watch for symptoms. Symptoms of PML include: confusion, difficulty talking or walking, dizziness or loss of balance, and vision problems.

Additional possible serious side effects of Gazyva:

Patients must tell their doctor right away about any side effects they experience. Gazyva can cause side effects that may become severe or life threatening, including:

  • Infusion Reactions: These side effects may occur during or within 24 hours of any Gazyva infusion. Some infusion reactions can be serious, including, but not limited to, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), acute life-threatening breathing problems, or other life-threatening infusion reactions. If a patient has a reaction, the infusion is either slowed or stopped until the patient’s symptoms are resolved. Most patients are able to complete infusions and receive medication again. However, if the infusion reaction is serious, the infusion of Gazyva will be permanently stopped. The patient’s healthcare team will take steps to help lessen any side effects the patient may have to the infusion process. The patient may be given medicines to take before each Gazyva treatment. Signs of infusion reactions may include: tiredness, dizziness, headache, redness of the face, nausea, chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, and chest pain
  • Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Tumor lysis syndrome, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients receiving Gazyva. Gazyva works to break down cancer cells quickly. As cancer cells break apart, their contents are released into the blood. These contents may cause damage to organs and the heart, and may lead to kidney failure requiring the need for dialysis treatment. The patient’s doctor may prescribe medication to help prevent TLS. The patient’s doctor will also conduct regular blood tests to check for TLS. Symptoms of TLS may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness
  • Infections: While a patient is taking Gazyva, the patient may develop infections. Some of these infections may be severe. Fatal infections have been reported, so the patient should be sure to talk to the doctor if the patient thinks the patient has one. Patients with active infection should not be treated with Gazyva. The patient’s risk for infections may continue even after the patient stops taking Gazyva. The patient’s doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent infections. Symptoms of infection include fever and cough
  • Low White Blood Cell Count: When a patient has an abnormally low count of infection-fighting white blood cells, it is called neutropenia. While the patient is taking Gazyva, the patient’s doctor will do blood work to check the patient’s white blood cell counts. Severe and life-threatening neutropenia can develop during or after treatment with Gazyva. Some cases of neutropenia can last for more than one month. If a patient’s white blood cell count is low, the patient’s doctor may prescribe medication to help prevent infections
  • Low Platelet Count: Platelets help stop bleeding or blood loss. Gazyva may reduce the number of platelets the patient has in the blood; having low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. This may affect the clotting process. While the patient is taking Gazyva, the patient’s doctor will do blood work to check the patient’s platelet count. Severe and life-threatening thrombocytopenia can develop during or after treatment with Gazyva. If the patient’s platelet count gets too low, the treatment may be delayed or reduced

Most common side effects of Gazyva

The most common side effects of Gazyva in CLL are infusion reactions, low white blood cell counts, low platelet counts, low red blood cell counts, fever, cough, nausea, and diarrhea.

The safety of Gazyva was evaluated based on 392 patients with indolent NHL (iNHL) of whom 81 percent had follicular lymphoma. In patients with follicular lymphoma, the most common side effects that were seen were consistent with the overall population who had iNHL.

The most common side effects of Gazyva are infusion reactions, low white blood cell counts, nausea, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, constipation, fever, low platelet counts, vomiting, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased appetite, joint or muscle pain, sinusitis, low red blood cell counts, general weakness, and urinary tract infection.

Before receiving Gazyva, patients should talk to their doctor about:

Immunizations: Before receiving Gazyva therapy, the patient should tell the patient’s healthcare provider if the patient has recently received or is scheduled to receive a vaccine. Patients who are treated with Gazyva should not receive live vaccines.

Pregnancy: A patient should tell the doctor if the patient is pregnant, plans to become pregnant, or is breastfeeding. Gazyva may harm the unborn baby. Mothers who have been exposed to Gazyva during pregnancy should discuss the safety and timing of live virus vaccinations for their infants with their child’s healthcare providers. It is not known if Gazyva may pass into the patient’s breast milk. The patient should speak to the doctor about using Gazyva if the patient is breastfeeding.

Patients must tell their doctor about any side effects.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Gazyva. For more information, patients should ask their doctor or pharmacist.

Gazyva is available by prescription only.

Report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088, or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. Report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please visit http://www.Gazyva.com for the Gazyva full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, for additional Important Safety Information.

Rituxan Indications

Rituxan® (rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Low-grade or follicular CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a single-agent therapy in patients whose disease recurred or did not respond to initial treatment
  • Follicular CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as an initial treatment with chemotherapy, and in patients whose initial treatment was successful, as a single-agent follow-up therapy
  • Low-grade CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a single-agent follow-up therapy for patients who did not progress on initial treatment with CVP chemotherapy
  • CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as an initial treatment in combination with CHOP chemotherapy
  • CD20-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia in combination with FC chemotherapy as an initial treatment or as a treatment after disease has recurred

People with serious infections should not receive Rituxan.

It is not known if Rituxan is safe or effective in children.

Important Safety Information:

Patients must tell their doctor right away about any side effects they experience. Rituxan can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

  • Infusion Reactions: may occur during or within 24 hours of the infusion. The patient’s doctor should give the patient medicines before their treatment. Symptoms can include hives, rash, itching, facial or oral swelling, sudden cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, weakness, dizziness, feeling faint, racing heart or chest pain.
  • Severe Skin and Mouth Reactions: symptoms can include painful sores, ulcers, or blisters on the skin, lips or mouth; peeling skin; rash; or pustules.
  • Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation: may cause serious liver problems including liver failure and death. If patients have had hepatitis B or are carriers of HBV, receiving Rituxan could cause the virus to become an active infection again. Patients should not receive Rituxan if they have active HBV liver disease. The patient’s doctor will do blood tests to check for HBV infection prior to treatment and will monitor the patient during and for several months following their treatment.
  • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): a rare, serious brain infection that can lead to severe disability and death and for which there is no known prevention, treatment or cure. Symptoms can include difficulty thinking, loss of balance, changes in speech or walking, weakness on one side of the body or blurred or lost vision.

What are the additional possible serious side effects of Rituxan?

Patients must tell their doctor right away about any side effects they experience. Rituxan can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

  • Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): may cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm and can lead to death. The patient’s doctor may give the patient medicines before their treatment to help prevent TLS.
  • Serious Infections: can happen during and after treatment and can lead to death. These infections may be bacterial, fungal or viral. Symptoms can include fever; cold or flu symptoms; earache or headache; pain during urination; white patches in the mouth or throat; cuts or scrapes that are red, warm, swollen or painful.
  • Heart Problems: symptoms can include chest pain and irregular heartbeats that may require treatment. The patient’s doctor may need to stop their treatment.
  • Kidney Problems: the patient’s doctor should do blood tests to check how well the patient’s kidneys are working.
  • Stomach and Serious Bowel Problems: can include blockage or tears in the bowel that can lead to death. Stomach area pain during treatment can be a symptom.
  • Low Blood Cell Counts: the patient’s blood cell counts may be monitored during treatment.

The most common side effects of Rituxan are infusion reactions, chills, infections, body aches, tiredness and low white blood cells.

Patients must tell their doctor if they are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. It is not known if Rituxan may harm the patient’s unborn baby or pass into the patient’s breast milk. Women should use birth control while using Rituxan and for 12 months after treatment.

Patients must tell their doctor about any side effect that bothers them or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Rituxan. For more information, patients should ask their doctor or pharmacist.

Report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. Report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please visit http://www.Rituxan.com for the Rituxan full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information.

Venclexta Indication

Venclexta™ (venetoclax) is a prescription medicine used to treat people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion who have received at least one prior treatment.

Venclexta was approved based on response rate. There is an ongoing study to find out how Venclexta works over a longer period of time.

It is not known if Venclexta is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

Patients must tell their doctor right away about any side effects they experience.

Venclexta can cause serious side effects, including tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure, the need for dialysis treatment, and may lead to death. A patient’s doctor will do tests for TLS. It is important for patients taking Venclexta to keep their appointments for blood tests. Patients will receive other medicines before starting and during treatment with Venclexta to help reduce their risk of TLS. Patients may also need to receive intravenous (IV) fluids into their vein. Patients taking Venclexta should tell their doctor right away if they have any symptoms of TLS during treatment with Venclexta, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dark or cloudy urine, unusual tiredness or muscle pain or joint pain.

Patients should drink plenty of water when taking Venclexta to help reduce the risk of getting TLS. Patients should drink 6 to 8 glasses (about 56 ounces total) of water each day, starting 2 days before their first dose, on the day of their first dose of Venclexta, and each time the dose is increased.

Certain medicines must not be taken when patients first start taking Venclexta and while their dose is being slowly increased.

  • Patients should tell their doctor about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Venclexta and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects.
  • Patients should not start new medicines during treatment with Venclexta without first talking with their doctor.

Before taking Venclexta, patients should tell their doctor about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

  • Have any kidney or liver problems.
  • Have problems with their body salts or electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphorus, or calcium.
  • Have a history of high uric acid levels in their blood or gout.
  • Are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Patients should not receive a “live vaccine” before, during, or after treatment with Venclexta, until their doctor tells them it is okay. If a patient is unsure about the type of immunization or vaccine, they should ask their doctor. These vaccines may not be safe or may not work as well during treatment with Venclexta.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Venclexta may harm an unborn baby. If a patient is able to become pregnant, the doctor should do a pregnancy test before they start treatment with Venclexta, and they should use effective birth control during treatment and for 30 days after the last dose of Venclexta.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Venclexta passes into breast milk. Patients should not breastfeed during treatment with Venclexta.

Patients taking Venclexta should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit, Seville oranges (often used in marmalades), or starfruit while they are taking Venclexta. These products may increase the amount of Venclexta in the patient’s blood.

Venclexta can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Low White Blood Cell Count (neutropenia): Low white blood cell counts are common with Venclexta, but can also be severe. A doctor will do blood tests to check a patient’s blood counts during treatment with Venclexta. Patients should tell their doctor right away if they have a fever or any signs of an infection.

The most common side effects of Venclexta include low white blood cell count, diarrhea, nausea, low red blood cell count, upper respiratory tract infection, low platelet count, and feeling tired.

Venclexta may cause fertility problems in males. This may affect the ability to father a child. Patients should talk to their doctor if they have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of Venclexta. Patients should tell their doctor if they have any side effect that bothers them or that does not go away.

Report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. Patients and caregivers may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please visit http://www.Venclexta.com for the Venclexta full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for additional Important Safety Information.

About Genentech In Hematology

For more than 20 years, Genentech has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in hematology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to people with diseases of the blood. In addition to approved medicines, Genentech’s pipeline of investigational hematology medicines includes an anti-CD79b antibody drug conjugate (polatuzumab vedotin/RG7596) and a small molecule antagonist of MDM2 (idasanutlin/RG7388). Genentech’s dedication to developing novel medicines for blood diseases expands beyond oncology, with the development of the investigational hemophilia A treatment emicizumab (ACE910). For more information visit http://www.gene.com/hematology.

About Genentech

Founded 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

Contacts

Genentech
Media Contact:
Stephanie Huang, 650-467-6800
or
Advocacy Contact:
Angela Wilson, 202-423-2739
or
Investor Contacts:
Neera Dahiya Ravindran, M.D., 650-491-5281
Karl Mahler, 011 41 61 687 8503

Contacts

Genentech
Media Contact:
Stephanie Huang, 650-467-6800
or
Advocacy Contact:
Angela Wilson, 202-423-2739
or
Investor Contacts:
Neera Dahiya Ravindran, M.D., 650-491-5281
Karl Mahler, 011 41 61 687 8503