Genentech's flu therapy meets in second Phase III

The Genentech Inc. unit of Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) said baloxavir marboxil met the primary endpoint of reducing time to improvement of symptoms vs. placebo in the double-blind Phase III CAPSTONE-2 trial to treat influenza virus infection in patients at high risk of complications.

Genentech said baloxavir marboxil was also superior to both placebo and the neuraminidase inhibitor Tamiflu oseltamivir on the secondary endpoints of reducing the time that the virus continued to be released (viral shedding) and reducing viral levels in the body. Additionally, baloxavir marboxil significantly reduced the incidence of influenza-related complications compared with placebo...