Avastin has demonstrated in two phase III studies that women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer who received Avastin plus chemotherapy and then continued on Avastin alone lived significantly longer.
Roche global product development head and chief medical officer Hal Barron said that approval of Avastin marks the first major treatment advance in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer in 15 years.
"This is the fifth tumor type for which Avastin has been approved in Europe, making it one of few biologic drugs indicated for multiple cancers," Barron added.