-
Tecentriq Hybreza provides patients and physicians with greater flexibility of treatment options while showing safety and efficacy consistent with intravenous (IV) Tecentriq
-
New subcutaneous (SC) option reduces treatment time to approximately 7 minutes, compared with 30-60 minutes for IV infusion
South San Francisco, CA -- September 12, 2024 --Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tecentriq HybrezaTM (atezolizumab and hyaluronidase-tqjs), the first and only PD-(L)1 inhibitor for subcutaneous (SC), under the skin injection for patients in the United States. Tecentriq Hybreza can be injected subcutaneously over approximately seven minutes, compared with 30-60 minutes for standard IV infusion of Tecentriq (atezolizumab). It will be available for all IV indications of Tecentriq approved for adults in the U.S., including certain types of lung, liver, skin and soft tissue cancer.
“By enabling subcutaneous administration for a cancer immunotherapy, Tecentriq Hybreza now offers patients with multiple cancer types and their physicians greater flexibility and choice of treatment administration,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “We are pleased to introduce this new subcutaneous formulation that builds on the established safety and efficacy profile of intravenous Tecentriq and can treat patients faster and in more accessible settings.”
“This approval represents a significant option to improve the patient experience,” said Ann Fish-Steagall, RN, senior vice president of Patient Services at the LUNGevity Foundation. “When patients have options, they feel empowered to be vital participants in their own care and choose their preferred treatment option.”
The FDA approval is based on pivotal data from the Phase IB/III IMscin001 study, which showed comparable levels of Tecentriq in the blood, when administered subcutaneously, and a safety and efficacy profile consistent with the IV formulation. The Phase II IMscin002 study showed that 71% of patients preferred Tecentriq Hybreza over intravenous atezolizumab, and the most common reasons were less time in the clinic, increased comfort during treatment and reduced emotional distress. 4 out of 5 patients (79%) chose Tecentriq Hybreza to continue their treatment, after experiencing both formulations.
Developing new formulations of our medicines is part of our commitment to improve the patient experience and support people living with different illnesses at every step of their treatment journey. With Tecentriq Hybreza and Roche/Genentech’s 13 other subcutaneous therapies – available across various diseases – we offer additional administration options to meet the diverse preferences of patients.
The subcutaneous formulation of Tecentriq received its first worldwide approval in Great Britain in August 2023 and is now approved in over 50 countries (outside the U.S. marketed as Tecentriq SC). Regulatory reviews in other countries and regions are ongoing.
Genentech is committed to helping people access the medicines they are prescribed and offers comprehensive services for people prescribed Tecentriq Hybreza to help minimize barriers to access and reimbursement. For people who qualify, Genentech offers patient assistance programs through Genentech Access Solutions.
About the IMscin001 study
IMscin001 is a Phase IB/III, global, multicenter, randomized study evaluating the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of Tecentriq Hybreza, compared with IV Tecentriq, in patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for whom prior platinum therapy has failed. The study enrolled 371 patients. The study met its primary endpoints, demonstrating comparable levels of Tecentriq in the blood during a given dosing interval on the basis of established pharmacokinetic measurements; observed serum Ctrough and model-predicted area under the curve. Observed efficacy, as measured by the overall response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival and duration of response, was similar between the SC and IV treatment arms and consistent with the known profile of IV Tecentriq. The safety profile of Tecentriq Hybreza was also consistent with that of IV Tecentriq.
About the IMscin002 study
IMscin002 is a Phase II, global crossover study evaluating patient preference between the SC and IV formulations of Tecentriq. The study enrolled 179 patients, including people with PD-L1-positive resected Stage II-IIIB NSCLC who have completed adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy without evidence of disease recurrence, and untreated patients with PD-L1-high Stage IV NSCLC. The study met its primary endpoint, showing that 71% of participants preferred the SC formulation (21% preferred IV and 8% stated no preference); 79% opted for Tecentriq Hybreza to complete their treatment, after experiencing both formulations of Tecentriq. The study confirmed that switching between Tecentriq Hybreza and IV Tecentriq was well tolerated, with no new safety signals.
About Tecentriq Hybreza
Tecentriq Hybreza combines Tecentriq with Halozyme Therapeutics’ Enhanze® drug delivery technology.
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. Tecentriq is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the re-activation of T cells. Tecentriq may also affect normal cells.
The Enhanze drug delivery technology is based on a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), an enzyme that locally and temporarily degrades hyaluronan – a glycosaminoglycan or chain of natural sugars in the body – in the subcutaneous space. This increases the permeability of the tissue under the skin, allowing space for Tecentriq to enter, enabling it to be rapidly dispersed and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Tecentriq is approved for some of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. Tecentriq was the first cancer immunotherapy approved for the treatment of a certain type of early-stage (adjuvant) NSCLC, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tecentriq is also approved in countries around the world, either alone or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies, for various forms of metastatic NSCLC, certain types of metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS). In addition to intravenous infusion, Tecentriq has been approved as a subcutaneous formulation in over 50 countries (outside the U.S. marketed as Tecentriq SC). The approved indications for Tecentriq Hybreza and Tecentriq SC mirror those of IV Tecentriq.
About Genentech in lung cancer
Lung cancer is a major area of focus and investment for Genentech, and we are committed to developing new approaches, medicines and tests that can help people with this deadly disease. Our goal is to provide an effective treatment option for every person diagnosed with lung cancer. We currently have six approved medicines to treat certain kinds of lung cancer and more than 10 medicines being developed to target the most common genetic drivers of lung cancer or to boost the immune system to combat the disease. Genentech is committed to improving treatment of early-stage lung cancers to help increase the chance of cure for more people.
About Genentech
Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California.