FDA Approves Genentech’s Skin Cancer Drug Cotellic

The FDA Nov. 10 approved Cotellic (cobimetinib) to be used in combination with Zelboraf (vemurafenib) for the treatment of people with BRAF V600E or V600K mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

Cotellic and Zelboraf are both marketed by San Francisco-based Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. Cotellic and Zelboraf shouldn’t be used to treat melanoma patients with a normal BRAF gene, the company said.

Cotellic works by blocking the activity of an enzyme known as MEK, which is part of a larger signaling pathway, the Food and Drug Administration said. Abnormal activity of signaling pathways can lead to cancer. Zelboraf ...