BRIEF—Venclexta/Rituxan combo shows improved PFS in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chicago’s Abbvie and Roche’s biotech unit Genentech have presented positive Phase III data from the MURANO trial in a late breaking abstract on the final day of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting.

The trial is studying patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The data show that a combination of Venclexta (venetoclax) and Rituxan (rituximab) led to estimated progression-free survival (PFS) at 24 months of 84.9% compared to 36.3% with chemotherapy and Rituxan.

Safety data were consistent with the known safety profiles of the medicines.

AbbVie chief scientific officer Michael Severino said the firms were “working closely with regulatory authorities to bring this combination therapy to appropriate patients as soon as possible."

Venclexta is marketed as Venclyxto in Europe.