Genentech files for approval of skin cancer drug

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Genentech has applied for Food and Drug Administration approval of a drug for treating skin cancer, the drug maker said Monday.



Genentech, the U.S. division of Swiss drug maker Roche, submitted a new drug application to the FDA for vismodegib for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. BCC generally is curable through surgery, but if it advances, can cause disfigurement and debilitating effects and, in the long term, can be life-threatening.



"We are excited by the pivotal study results that showed vismodegib substantially reduced tumor size or healed lesions for people with this rare skin cancer, which has no approved treatments," Genentech chief medical officer and head of global product development Hal Barron said. "We look forward to continuing our discussions with the FDA about these data."