Genentech (South SF) And Biogen Idec, Inc. (California) Release: Phase III Data Showed Rituxan Plus Chemotherapy Improved Survival in Patients With Most Common Form of Adult Leukemia

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), and Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB) today announced that three-year follow up of the pivotal Phase III CLL8 trial showed Rituxan plus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) chemotherapy helped patients in the trial with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) live longer than FC alone. No new safety signals were observed and the safety profile was consistent with those previously reported for Rituxan. The data were presented today at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans.