TESARO Announces Collaboration to Evaluate ZEJULA in Combination With Anti-PD-L1 Cancer Immunotherapy & MEK Inhibitor

TESARO, Inc. recently announced 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, PhD, 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.

 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.

 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.