Millennium present data on kinase programs at EORTC-NCI-AACR meeting

Data presented at the EORTC NCI AACR meeting detail data and progress on Millennium kinase programs:
MLN8237 – Aurora A  – Phase II trials expected in late 2008/early 2009
TAK-285 – EGFR/HER dual kinase  -  Demonstrated good target specificity, pharmacokinetics and distribution and efficacy in EGFR- and HER2-expressing xenograft models
TAK-593 -VEGF/PDGF – Preclinical data show potent pseudo-irreversibility [...]

Phase III Avastin trial in Colon Cancer to continue

Genentech have announced that its ongoing Phase III study of Avastin (bevacizumab) in patients with early-stage colon cancer will continue as planned.

Avastin and Tarceva combo does not meet primary endpoint in Phase III NSCLC

Phase III trial results show treatment with Avastin/Tarceva in patients with advanced NSCLC did not meet its primary endpoint (overall survival compared to Tarceva). Secondary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate when Avastin was added to Tarceva were however met.

Avastin demonstrates overall survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with K-Ras gene status

Data presented at the European of Medical Oncology (ESMO) show Avastin (bevacizumab) is the only biologic to provide overall survival (OS) benefit when used as first-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy for patients with K-Ras wild type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Pazopanib demonstrates efficacy in Sarcoma and Ovarian cancer

Phase III data presented at the European of Medical Oncology (ESMO) show pazopanib to be effective in soft tissue sarcoma (STS), epithelial ovarian cancer, and non small cell lung cancer. GSK plan to initiate Phase III trials in other cancer types.

Roche to present at ESMO

Roche have announced that 100+ abstracts on Roche medicines will be presented at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting.

Key presentations include:
* Data from AVAiL, confirming the use of Avastin as first line treatment in NSCLC
* Phase III data on continuation of Herceptin treatment
* Phase II data data on the use of [...]

UKs NICE recommends Lucentis for Wet AMD

The UK’s NICE final guidance has recommended Lucentis as a cost-effective treatment for wet AMD

VEGF-Trap effective in Phase II AMD trial

Phase II data released by Bayer and Regeneron show VEGF Trap-Eye is effective in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Roche wont lower Avastin price despite NICE ruling

Roche have issued a statement saying it won’t lower the price for Avastin despite UK’s NICE ruling that it is not a cost-effective treatment for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Roche argue that Avastin is used in many cancer types and is fully reimbursed in most European countries.
Pfizer, Bayer and Wyeth are still considering their formal [...]

NICE recommends against Avastin, Nexavar, Sutent and Torisel for Kidney Cancer

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has made a preliminary ruling stating that Avastin, Nexavar, Sutent and Torisel  are not  effective enough to warrant their high cost and shouldn’t be prescribed to new patients in Britain.