Roche

The SMI closed 0.4% higher at 14,811 points, supported by defensive heavyweights such as Roche, Nestlé and Novartis, which gained up to 2.3%. Europe’s stock markets were under pressure from steep losses in technology stocks, notably Intel and Amazon. Among individual stocks, Julius Bär plans a share buyback program of up to CHF 600 million starting on Nov. 2, and Sandoz gave back part of the previous day’s gains after slightly narrowing its sales forecast. » Mere på finanzen.net

Roche is launching the automated tissue test Ventana BAP1 (SP527) worldwide, intended to help distinguish malignant mesotheliomas from other tumors and benign changes. The test is registered in the US as an in vitro diagnostic class I device and approved in the EU under the IVDR as a class C product. Together with two recently introduced tests, the procedure is meant to reduce tissue consumption and thereby preserve more material for molecular analyses; no information on price or revenue potential was provided. » Mere på finanzen.net

Roche has received CE marking for the Cobas smart e. The compact immunoassay analyzer for smaller laboratories and clinics offers a planned test menu of over 100 assays across areas such as cardiovascular, metabolic, oncology and infections on roughly 0.9 m², uses Elecsys technology and the same reagents as larger cobas systems, delivers reaction times of at most 18 minutes for over 90% of the assays, and is intended to improve local diagnostics and result comparability between sites. » Mere på finanzen.net

Roche aims to make a newly developed pill the standard treatment for an advanced form of lung cancer. In studies presented at the ESMO congress, the drug reduced the risk of death by 44 percent compared with available therapies from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb. Roche shares reacted positively and climbed about 1.4 percent. » Mere på finanzen.net

Roche reports that divarasib reduced the risk of death by 44 percent versus available therapies from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb in a late‑stage clinical trial and that fewer patients discontinued treatment due to side effects. Divarasib targets the KRAS G12C mutation and is intended as an oral therapy to become a standard treatment for a specific form of lung cancer. Roche is conducting additional late‑stage studies, evaluating use in earlier disease stages and combinations with Keytruda, and has raised expected peak sales to 2–3 billion CHF. » Mere på finanzen.net