Genentech Takes Exelixis, Inc. Drug Into Phase III Melanoma Trial

Genentech Inc. is moving forward with a cancer-fighting combo that includes a drug it licensed from Exelixis Inc., giving the smaller biotech company the option to potentially co-promote the drug. Genentech, the South San Francisco-based biotech subsidiary of drug giant Roche, dosed the first patient Monday in the Phase III trial, Exelixis said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Wednesday. The study is evaluating already-approved Zelboraf in combination with Exelixis-discovered GDC-0973 in patients with malignant melanoma. Exelixis (NASDAQ: EXEL), also based in South San Francisco, has 12 months to exercise its option to co-promote GDC-0973 in the United States, according to the SEC filing.