Roche reports sales for new cancer drugs

Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) reported 1H12 sales for its three newest cancer products, including CHF4 million ($4 million) in sales of Perjeta pertuzumab since its launch in June to treat previously untreated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in combination with Herceptin trastuzumab and docetaxel. Metastatic melanoma drug Zelboraf vemurafenib, which launched initially in the U.S. last August, recorded CHF92 million ($93.1 million) in worldwide 1H12 sales. Erivedge vismodegib recorded CHF10 million ($10.1 million) since its approval in the U.S. in January to treat advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Roche's Genentech Inc. unit markets Herceptin.

Overall sales for the first half rose 4% in constant exchange rates to CHF22.4 billion ($22.7 billion). Core EPS rose 8% to CHF6.94. The pharma reiterated its guidance of low- to mid-single digit sales growth in 2012. ...