Deutsche Bank analyst Richard Parkes tells investors in a research note after attending the ECTRIMS conference in Stockholm that data from Novartis' (NVS) ASCLEPIOS trials suggests ofatumumab will be a "strong" competitor for Roche's (RHHBY) Ocrevus in relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. Parkes says he expects physicians to view the drugs as having broadly comparable and highly compelling efficacy, with ofatumumab's at-home dosing an attractive option for some patients, suggesting meaningful upside potential to his current 2024E ofatumumab sales of $1.1B and possible risks to his forecasts for Roche's Ocrevus. According to physician feedback, Parkes says the drugs are likely to share a rapidly growing market. Parkes maintains a Hold rating and 90 CHF price target on Novartis shares.

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Alecensa for adjuvant treatment following tumor resection for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer, as detected by an FDA-approved test. Alecensa is now the first and only ALK inhibitor approved for people with ALK-positive early-stage NSCLC who have undergone surgery to remove their tumor. "With an unprecedented 76% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death versus chemotherapy, Alecensa significantly improves upon the standard of care for people with early-stage ALK-positive lung cancer," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. "At Genentech, our goal is to give patients the best chance of cure by bringing effective, targeted treatments to early-stage disease before their cancer has spread. This approval brings us one step closer to achieving that mission."