Cancer drug stocks were boosted on Wednesday after Roche accidentally published positive interim results from its lung cancer treatment study.
The Swiss drugmaker said that it had been made aware of the inadvertent disclosure of the second interim analysis from its Phase 3 study evaluating its investigational anti-TIGIT (T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains) immunotherapy tiragolumab in combination with the established immune-oncology drug Tecentriq for people with lung cancer.
While the company noted that interim results were “not mature,” it reported that patients who received tiragolumab plus Tecentriq had a median overall survival estimate of 22.9 months compared to 16.7 months for those who just received Tecentriq.
Roche noted that the study is ongoing and remains blinded to patients and investigators, and the company plans to continue the study until the final analysis for overall survival.
The news sent Roche’s US-listed shares 4.7% higher to US$37.42 and lifted its rivals iTeos Therapeutics, up 47.8% at US$17.37, and Arcus Biosciences, up 26.1% at US$23.71 shortly after the opening bell in New York.
All three companies are developing anti-TIGIT therapies.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) and Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK), who are also developing therapies in this area, rose 1.2% and 3.3% respectively.
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