WALTHAM, Mass., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a clinical collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to evaluate the combination of the PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®), the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib (COTELLIC®) and TESARO’s PARP inhibitor ZEJULA® (niraparib) in patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.
“This partnership enables us to further expand the clinical assessment of niraparib-based combinations as we work to advance therapies for women living with ovarian cancer,” said Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., President and COO of TESARO. “Preclinical data has demonstrated potential synergy between MEK and PARP inhibitors, and there is emerging evidence to support an immunomodulatory role for PARP inhibitors. Data suggest the addition of atezolizumab may potentially further enhance the anti-cancer immune response. We look forward to evaluating the potential for this combination to further prolong responses to chemotherapy.”
TESARO and Genentech are also working together to evaluate the combination of ZEJULA and atezolizumab in patients with metastatic bladder cancer as a part of MORPHEUS, Roche's novel cancer immunotherapy development platform. MORPHEUS is a Phase 1b/2 adaptive platform to develop combinations of cancer immunotherapies more rapidly and efficiently. The planned trial will be conducted by Genentech and is expected to begin by the end of 2018.
TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) and COTELLIC (cobimetinib) are registered trademarks of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.
About ZEJULA (Niraparib)
ZEJULA (niraparib) is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. In preclinical studies, ZEJULA concentrates in the tumor relative to plasma, delivering greater than 90% durable inhibition of PARP 1/2 and a persistent antitumor effect. Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including some fatal cases, was reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Discontinue ZEJULA if MDS/AML is confirmed. Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia), as well as cardiovascular effects (hypertension and hypertensive crisis) have been reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Monitor complete blood counts to detect hematologic adverse reactions, as well as to detect cardiovascular disorders, during treatment. ZEJULA can cause fetal harm and females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception. Please see full prescribing information, including additional important safety information, available at www.zejula.com.
About TESARO
TESARO is an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company devoted to providing transformative therapies to people bravely facing cancer. For more information, visit www.tesarobio.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Investor/Media Contact
Jennifer Davis
Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
+1.781.325.1116 or jdavis@tesarobio.com
Kate Rausch
Associate Director, Investor Relations
+1.781.257.2505 or krausch@tesarobio.com
Forward Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding TESARO, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, among others, statements regarding the potential use of niraparib in patients with bladder cancer and the potential timing of the planned clinical trial. Forward-looking statements in this release involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause future results, performance, or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to the execution and completion of clinical trials, risks related to manufacturing and supply, and other matters that could affect the timing or outcome of clinical trials. TESARO undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the Company in general, see TESARO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.