UPDATE 1-EU panel backs Roche's Herceptin for stomach cancer

Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:35am EST

* Recommends extending use of breast cancer drug

* Panel backing usually endorsed within couple of months

(Adds details on drug and approval process)

ZURICH, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Europe's drugs watchdog has recommended extending use of Roche's (ROG.VX) blockbuster drug Herceptin for use against HER-2 positive stomach cancer, it said on Friday.

Herceptin, or trastuzumab, is already approved for use in the 25 percent or so of breast cancer patients whose tumors generate the HER-2 protein, which can fuel cancer growth. It had 2008 sales of $1.8 billion.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) said its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) backed use of Herceptin for stomach cancer patients who had not received prior anti-cancer treatment.

CHMP recommendations for marketing approval are normally endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months. (Reporting by Sam Cage; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

Stocks
Regulatory News
Markets

Related Quotes and News

Company
Price
Related News
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
Comments (1)
CindyInLA wrote:
Dennis Slamon, the inventor of Herceptin, is a hero in the breast cancer community. Just saw him in this inspiring and educational documentary “Breast Cancer: The Path of Wellness & Healing.” I recommend it to every woman I know.

Dec 18, 2009 2:57pm EST  --  Report as abuse
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.
See All Comments »