Roche's Guide To Success In Oncology

Roche's potential in the growing field of immuno-oncology has been a game of wait and see. But now that Tecentriq has launched, the company believes the components are in place to maintain its leadership position in oncology.

It's good to be the leader, Roche Pharmaceuticals CEO Daniel O'Day emphasized during the firm's annual oncology review for analysts on the ground at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. It was an understandable theme for a company that has long held the top position in the industry's most competitive therapeutic area, but has fallen behind in the burgeoning field of immuno-oncology.

While Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s success with its PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo – a roughly $500m lead over Merck &...