Roche receives CE Mark for VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay as the first IHC-based companion diagnostic to identify ovarian cancer patients eligible for ELAHERE

The VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay detects the folate receptor 1 protein (FOLR1 or FRɑ), which is over-expressed in most ovarian cancers.
The test identifies ovarian cancer patients eligible for targeted treatment with ELAHERE.
This certification follows the unprecedented decision by regulators to grant an early exemption approval for the test in Germany and Austria earlier this year.

TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it has received CE Mark for its VENTANA® FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay. This is the first immunohistochemistry (IHC) companion diagnostic test to be made widely available in Europe to aid in identifying epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients who may be eligible for targeted treatment with ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine). ELAHERE is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy developed by AbbVie for the treatment of FRɑ-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

This certification follows the news earlier this year that the VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) test had received pre-authorisation in Germany and Austria. This exceptional decision allowed clinicians and patients in these countries to access the test ahead of the CE Mark certification.

“This certification will allow us to extend the reach of our innovative diagnostic solutions,” said Jill German, Head of Pathology Lab at Roche Diagnostics. “The early exemption approval in Germany and Austria highlighted the urgent need for this test. Now, clinicians across Europe can access a critical tool to quickly identify ovarian cancer patients who may be eligible for targeted therapy. By enabling more precise and personalised treatment decisions, we hope this may help improve outcomes for the many women in Europe facing this devastating disease.”

Folate receptor 1 protein (FOLR1), also known as folate receptor alpha (FRɑ), is expressed at some level in approximately 90 percent of ovarian carcinomas and serves as a predictive biomarker for FOLR1-targeted therapy for EOC patients.^1,2 The VENTANA FOLR-1 (FOLR1-2.1) test informs clinicians about the likelihood of potential patient benefit from FOLR1 therapy,^3,4 advancing Roche’s commitment to personalised healthcare through innovative solutions that help fit the treatment to the individual.

Ovarian cancer is the eighth overall cause for cancer death in women worldwide, representing 4.7% of all cancer deaths in women. It is also one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers worldwide. In 2022, 46,232 women in Europe and 209,596 women worldwide died from ovarian cancer.⁵

The launch of Roche’s first IHC companion test for ovarian cancer in CE countries highlights the company’s commitment, as the world’s leading provider of in vitro diagnostics, to continued innovation and evolution of its products in order to advance personalised healthcare and deliver novel, high medical value solutions that improve patients’ lives.

About the VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay

Roche has developed a leading, comprehensive and differentiated cancer immunohistochemical portfolio, with biomarkers that support multiple guidelines for the diagnosis and stratification of cancers. VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay is a qualitative immunohistochemical assay using mouse monoclonal anti-FOLR1 clone FOLR1-2.1 intended for use in the assessment of folate receptor alpha (FRɑ) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), including primary peritoneal cancer and primary fallopian tube cancer, tissue specimens by light microscopy. The OptiView DAB IHC Detection Kit is used for staining on a BenchMark ULTRA instrument.

The approval is based on the results from the SORAYA⁶ and MIRASOL⁷ clinical studies. Both studies enrolled platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer patients who were FRɑ-positive by the VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay. In the single-arm SORAYA trial, 32% of patients demonstrated a partial or complete response to ELAHERE therapy.⁵ In the MIRASOL trial, patients who received ELAHERE demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival by investigator assessment compared with IC chemotherapy, which represented a 35% reduction in the risk of tumour progression or death (HR 0.65, 95% CI, 0.52-0.81). Patients who received ELAHERE also demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival compared to chemotherapy, which represented a 33% reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.50-.0.89).⁷

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

In recognising our endeavour to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the fifteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References

¹Scaranti, M., Cojocaru, E., Banerjee, S. et al. Exploiting the folate receptor α in oncology. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 17, 349–359 (2020).

²Hilgenbrink A., Low P. Folate receptor-mediated drug targeting: From Therapeutics to diagnostics. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2005;94(10): 2135-2146.

³James, Racheal L., et al. “Development of an FRα Companion Diagnostic Immunohistochemical Assay for Mirvetuximab Soravtansine.” Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (2024).

⁴Roche. VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR-2.1) RxDx Assay. CE Package Insert. 2024.

⁵Bray, Freddie, et al. “Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries.” CA: a cancer journal for clinicians 74.3 (2024): 229-263.

⁶Matulonis, Ursula A., et al. “Efficacy and safety of mirvetuximab soravtansine in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer with high folate receptor alpha expression: results from the SORAYA study.” Journal of clinical oncology 41.13 (2023): 2436-2445.

⁷Moore, Kathleen N., et al. “Phase III MIRASOL (GOG 3045/ENGOT-Ov55) study: mirvetuximab soravtansine vs. investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in platinum-resistant, advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancers with high folate receptor-alpha (FRα) expression.” J Clin Oncol 41 (2023): abstrLBA5507.