INTERVIEW: Roche's Dan Chen Talks Immuno-Oncology Combinations

The head of Roche/Genentech's immuno-oncology programs discussed the firm's combination strategy at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago.

The well-established leader in oncology, Roche has taken an unaccustomed back seat in the emerging field of cancer immunotherapy. But with nine immuno-oncology assets in the clinic and its PD-L1 inhibitor Tecentriq (atezolizumab) clearing FDA a couple weeks before ASCO, the time has come for Roche to make its mark, especially as Tecentriq is the first PD-L1 inhibitor and the first IO therapy for bladder cancer. (Also see "Early Tecentriq OK Gives Roche/Genentech Jump On PD-L1 Bladder Cancer Market" - Scrip, 19 May, 2016.) Global Head of Cancer Immunotherapy Dan Chen explained Roche's strategy on combinations and how the firm plans to uphold its leadership position.

Q: It's only been a week, but are there early signs of how the Tecentriq launch is going?

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