Genentech sees positive results from its CLL drug trials

Genentech has seen positive results in Phase III trials of its CLL drug.

Genentech has announced positive results from the first stage of Phase III randomised trials to ascertain the efficacy and safety of its obinutuzumab (GA101) plus chlorambucil chemotherapy treatment for people with previously untreated chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL).

According to the data, introducing GA101 into the treatment regime improves survival rates by significantly reducing the risk of disease progression compared to chlorambucil alone.
Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer at the company and head of its global product development division, said that the improvement in progression-free survival rates makes for "encouraging" reading for people suffering from the chronic illness, which currently has few treatment options. "GA101 demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the research and development of new medicines for this disease," he said.

The trials are being carried out as part of a three-pronged study into the effects of GA101 when combined with chlorambucil, compared with Rituxan plus chlorambucil and treatment by chlorambucil alone.
Data from the studies will be submitted for presentation at a medical meeting in the near future and to the European and US regulatory authorities for approval.