Roche Leads Formation of Rare Target Lung Cancer Ecosystem Alliance and Launches Entrectinib in China

Signing Ceremony of the Rare Target Ecology Alliance for Lung Cancer

In the cooperation in first-tier cities, the Rare Lung Cancer Targets Alliance will be committed to promoting the construction of standardized diagnosis and treatment demonstration centers for rare lung cancer targets in China. It will also build a platform for academic exchanges and inter-hospital cooperation among various centers, jointly play a leading role, and continuously improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment for rare lung cancer targets.Management, working together to improve the level of lung cancer prevention and treatment in China.

Genetron Holdings Limited's Chief Commercial Officer, Ms. Liu Yan, stated: "As a Chinese cancerPrecisionA Pioneer in the Medical Field, Genetron Holdings Limited Has Always Regarded Technological Innovation as the Driving Force for Corporate Development, Continuously Applying Advanced Molecular Testing Technologies and Cutting-Edge Discoveries to the Entire Cycle of Cancer Management. Through This Collaboration with Roche, We Hope to Combine Our Strengths and Jointly Enhance the Prevention and Treatment of Lung Cancer, Contributing Our Share to 'Healthy China'.

Mr. Han Yusheng, founder and CEO of Burning Rock Biotech Ltd, stated: "The establishment of the Rare Lung Cancer Targets Ecosystem Alliance will integrate the resources and strengths of both Roche and Burning Rock Biotech Ltd, jointly enhancing the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for thoracic surgery and lung cancer patients. Through the deep collaboration of 'diagnosis' and 'treatment', an integrated solution for rare target diagnosis and treatment will be built to promote the better application of new technologies and achievements in clinical practice, driving the standardized development of the precision medicine field for lung cancer."

Dr. Wang Haibo, Vice President of Genecast, emphasized: "Taking the signing as a starting point, we will concentrate the advantages of all parties, share cutting-edge concepts, promote the application of new technologies, and support precise diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, bringing more survival benefits to patients. Genecast will leverage its strengths in precision cancer testing to comprehensively support the development of the alliance’s initiatives and contribute to the realization of the Healthy China goals."

Dr. Lulei Lu, Chief Operating Officer of OrigiMed INC, stated: "As a leading precision medicine company in China, OrigiMed is always committed to promoting the implementation of innovative diagnostics and innovative payment solutions in China through next-generation sequencing technology. By leveraging collaborative platforms, we provide Chinese patients with personalized diagnostic innovations and comprehensive management services."

Across a vast area, the Lung Cancer Rare Targets Ecosystem Alliance will focus on promoting advanced testing technologies and treatment concepts. Through offline seminars, remote education, and other formats, it aims to comprehensively enhance grassroots doctors' standardized diagnosis and treatment capabilities for rare lung cancer targets. This effort will strengthen and optimize the construction of grassroots standardized diagnosis and treatment networks, enabling lung cancer patients to receive standardized, reasonable, and timely medical care close to home.

In this regard, Zhu Shida, Deputy General Manager of BGI, stated that the establishment of the Lung Cancer Rare Target Ecology Alliance is a welcome development. Given the large number of lung cancer patients, enhancing the detection capabilities for rare targets and establishing precise and standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols can benefit more patients and are of great significance. BGI will leverage its comprehensive portfolio of tumor gene testing products and services, which form a "pre-screening, diagnosis, and monitoring" closed loop, to provide accurate and affordable testing services, thereby contributing to the improvement of precision cancer medical care in China.

Mr. Liu Shengwei, Vice President of KingMed Diagnostics and General Manager of the Group's Marketing Operations Center, also stated: "With the development of precision medicine, gene testing to guide medication for cancer patients has been given significant importance, but the industry still falls short in the overall detection of rare genes. KingMed Diagnostics possesses a comprehensive and diverse gene testing platform along with a service network covering all of China. We look forward to collectively enhancing the level of precision cancer diagnosis and treatment in China through the establishment of this alliance."

Mr. Ke Sheng, Director of Pharmaceutical Enterprise Services at Gene+: "Gene+ is committed to advancing the construction of a model center for standardized diagnosis and treatment of rare lung cancer targets, continuously deepening the grid-based development for diagnosis and treatment of rare lung cancer targets, and working with partners to support lung cancer prevention and control, achieving a new ecosystem of standardized, rational, and timely diagnosis and treatment. We hope to promote standardized diagnosis and treatment of rare lung cancer targets by building regional testing centers and fostering extensive cooperation."

In addition, the Lung Cancer Rare Targets Ecosystem Alliance will also focus on patient education, emphasizing precise diagnosis, standardized treatment, and disease management for rare targets in lung cancer to avoid situations where there is risk but no screening, screening without investigation, or investigation without treatment. Furthermore, it will provide comprehensive care and support in areas such as innovative payment methods, convenient access to medication, and patient community exchanges.

Roche has always adhered to the concept of "acting on the needs of patients first," consistently staying at the forefront of innovative drug research. It has developed multiple innovative products targeting rare mutations such as ALK, ROS1, and NTRK. The approval and launch of Entrectinib in China has brought new hope to patients with rare genetic targets.

Entrectinib Launches, A New Dawn for Rare Targets

The incidence of ROS1 in non-small cell lung cancer is approximately 2% [1]. In 2022, Entrectinib was officially approved for the indications of adult patients with ROS1-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and NTRK fusion gene-positive solid tumors.

Launch Ceremony of Roche®

Updated data from the 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) showed that, in the first-line treatment of ROS1-positive NSCLC patients, entrectinib achieved an overall objective response rate (ORR) of 68.7%, a median duration of response (DOR) of nearly three years (35.6 months), a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 17.7 months, and a median overall survival (OS) of nearly four years (47.7 months) [2].

It is believed that with the successive launches of innovative therapies represented by Entrectinib, Chinese patients will have better clinical options. As the treatment choices for patients increase, how to achieve precise diagnosis, standardized treatment, and higher-quality survival, as well as transforming lung cancer into a chronic disease, has become a new clinical challenge.

White Paper Upgrade Released for ALK-Positive Patients with Rare Lung Cancer Targets

On November 6, Professor Zhou Caicun, Director of the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Committee of CSCO and from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital affiliated with Tongji University, released the new edition of the "2022 White Paper on the Survival Status of ALK-Positive NSCLC Patients" at the CIIE.

Professor Zhou Caicun Releases "2022 White Paper on the Survival Status of ALK-Positive Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer"

ALK is commonly found in younger lung cancer populations without a smoking history, accounting for approximately 3% to 7% of NSCLC patients. Compared to last year, this year's white paper covers a broader research area, with the patient sample size expanded to over 3,000 individuals, making it the largest global sample size study of ALK+ NSCLC patients to date. Additionally, a wider and more in-depth multi-dimensional analysis was conducted to more clearly present the current state of treatment, life, and survival, as well as the quality and challenges faced by ALK-positive NSCLC patients, providing insights into unmet clinical needs and directions for improving patient services.

Professor Zhou shared in his speech that more than half of ALK+ NSCLC patients are diagnosed at locally advanced/advanced stages, and 27% of Stage IV patients have baseline brain metastases. In first-line treatment, 80% of patients choose targeted drugs, among which alectinib accounts for approximately 67%, showing excellent performance in patient treatment satisfaction. However, constipation, rash, and liver injury are the main side effects affecting patients during first-line treatment.Quality of LifeThe most impactful adverse reactions, with rapid disease progression, typically show disease progression primarily in the brain within 1-3 years.

In second-line treatment, targeted therapy remains the primary choice for patients, but overall satisfaction needs improvement. Meanwhile, the high cost of treatment continues to be one of the clinical pain points. Currently, the average treatment cost for ALK+ NSCLC exceeds 200,000 yuan, and enhancing the accessibility of innovative drugs will also be one of the challenges in current clinical treatment.

Conclusion

The launch of Entrectinib in China, the release of the 2022 White Paper on the Survival Status of ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients, and the establishment of the Lung Cancer Rare Target Ecology Alliance not only highlight Roche's patient-centered corporate responsibility but also fulfill the social responsibilities proposed in the "Healthy China 2030" Plan Outline, such as "joint construction and sharing, universal health," optimizing health services, and better meeting the health needs of the population.