Roche Presents Positive Follicular Lymphoma Data On Gazvya

Roche Holding (SIX:ROG) AG (OTC:RHHBY) announced encouraging data from the pivotal phase III study, GALLIUM, which compared Gazyva plus chemotherapy, followed by Gazyva alone head-to-head against MabThera plus chemotherapy followed by MabThera alone in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma. Note that Gazyva is marketed as Gazyvaro in the EU and Switzerland.

Note that the year-to-date share price movement of Roche shows that the stock has underperformed the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry. The stock has lost 19.7% so far this year, compared to the industry’s decline of 8.4%.


Reported results showed that treatment with Gazyva reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival) by 34% in comparison to MabThera. Data were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology and the National Cancer Research Institute.

We note that GALLIUM is the third phase III study on Gazyva. The company plans to submit this data and seek regulatory approval.

We note that Gazyva is currently approved in combination with chlorambucil in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. In Feb 2016, Gazyva gained FDA approval in combination with bendamustine, followed by Gazyva alone, for the treatment of follicular lymphoma in patients who did not respond to a Rituxan-containing regimen.

Additional studies evaluating Gazyva, in combination with other approved or investigational treatments, including cancer immunotherapies and small molecule inhibitors, are currently underway across a range of blood cancers.

Roche currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

ROCHE HLDG LTD Price and Consensus

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector include Anika Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ANIK) , Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHX) and Arbutus Biopharma Corp. (NASDAQ:ABUS) . Anika and Athersys sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Arbutus carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Anika’s earnings estimates increased from $1.96 to $2.06 for 2016 and from $2.03 to $2.09 for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive surprise in the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 33.14%. Its share price has gained 24% year to date.

Athersys’ loss estimates narrowed from 23 cents to 18 cents in 2016 while that for 2017 remained unchanged over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive surprise in all of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 110.52%. Its share price has gained 56% year to date.

Arbutus’ loss estimates narrowed from $2.15 to $1.74 for 2016 and from $1.96 to $1.51 for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted positive surprises thrice in the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 59.31%.

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