Positive news flowed in for Roche RHHBY when the European Union’s (EU) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion on the use of Avastin in combination with standard chemotherapy (paclitaxel and cisplatin or paclitaxel and topotecan in patients who cannot receive platinum therapy) for the treatment of adult patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix.
As per the European Cancer Observatory, it is estimated that approximately 33,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the EU in 2015, with expected death of 13,000.
We note that Avastin had been approved in Aug 2014 in the U.S. for the treatment of women suffering from persistent, recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix.
We remind investors that Avastin is also approved in Europe for the treatment of advanced stages of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer and ovarian cancer. In the U.S., Avastin is approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. Moreover, the drug is approved in the U.S. for progressive glioblastoma following prior therapy.
Avastin is one of the leading drugs in Roche’s portfolio. It generated sales of CHF6.4 billion 2014, up 6% year over year. The oncology portfolio looks solid as ever and we expect further traction in 2015. We are encouraged by Roche's efforts to expand the drug’s label, which should further boost sales.
Roche currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Isis Pharmaceuticals ISIS, ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ANIP and Lannett Inc. LCI. All three sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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