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Genentech restarts early-stage colon cancer study

Associated Press DataStream FFF - Oct. 20, 2008
http://www.therapeuticsdaily.com/news/article.cfm?contenttype=sentryarticle&contentvalue=1857831&channelID=28

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif._
Biotechnology company Genentech Inc. said Monday it will continue a long-delayed late-stage study of Avastin focusing on early-stage colon cancer, following an independent safety analysis.

In 2006, the company stopped enrolling patients in a late-stage study after its independent monitoring panel cited a higher rate of deaths in patients taking Avastin with the chemotherapy treatments. The drug is already approved as treatment for colon cancer that has spread, but not for the early-stage form of the disease.

The current interim analysis of data from 2,710 patients found no new or unexpected safety events in the Avastin portion of the study.

Genentech expects final results from the study by the middle of 2009.

Avastin, which is also approved to treat lung and breast cancer, was the company's best-selling drug during the second quarter, rising 18 percent to $704 million.

Shares of Genentech closed at $83.53 Friday.