Roche confirms new approval for Herceptin

Roche announced today that its majority-owned subsidiary Chugai Pharmaceuticals has received approval for the use of Herceptin in the early treatment of HER2-postive breast cancer from the Japanese Health Authority.

The approval comes off the back of positive study results demonstrating that Herceptin significantly reduces the risk of death and recurrence by more than one third in women with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer when administered following surgery and chemotherapy.

William M Burns, chief executive officer of Roche’s pharmaceuticals division, said that it was rewarding to health authorities around the world recognise the benefits Herceptin treatment can have in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

“We hope that all Japanese women suffering from this devastating disease will now be able to have access to Herceptin, a treatment that has been proven to offer the best chance for a cure,” he added.

Additionally, Roche reports that a meta-analysis of results from randomised Herceptin studies showed that the drug reduced the number of women who were at risk of the disease coming back within ten years after diagnosis by 50 per cent.

Earlier this week, Roche commented on the importance of progression-survival to patients with breast cancer, noting the effectiveness of its compound Avastin (bevacizumab) in this regard.