Early Monday, Genentech Inc. (DNA) and OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OSIP) announced that the combination of Avastin and Tarceva as second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer did not meet the primary endpoint of improving overall survival in a late-stage trial.
The phase III study known as BeTa Lung, evaluated Avastin in combination with Tarceva in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC whose disease had progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy, against Tarceva in combination with placebo. The double-blinded late-stage study enrolled 636 patients with advanced NSCLC.
Avastin is currently approved as first-line treatment in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced, non-squamous, NSCLC. The other FDA-approved indications of Avastin include breast cancer that is HER2 negative and has spread to other parts of the body, in patients not subjected to chemotherapy, and in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Last year, total sales of Avastin were $2.45 billion, reflecting a 32% growth over 2006. In the recent second quarter, total sales of Avastin increased to $677 million from $611 million in the first quarter.
Tarceva, which is also manufactured by Genentech and OSI Pharma, is currently approved as a treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed following treatment with at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Tarceva garnered $417 million in total sales last year, up from $402 million in 2006. In the recent second quarter, sales of Tarceva were $119 million, compared to $111 million in the preceding quarter.
The companies noted that though the study missed the primary endpoint of overall survival, there were improvements in the secondary endpoints of progression-free survival and response rate when Avastin was added to Tarceva compared to Tarceva alone.
A Phase III trial dubbed SATURN, evaluating single-agent Tarceva as a first-line maintenance therapy in NSCLC patients whose disease has not progressed following treatment with chemotherapy is underway. A second study, dubbed ATLAS, which evaluates the combination of Avastin and Tarceva as a potential first-line maintenance therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients whose disease has not progressed following initial treatment against Avastin in combination with chemotherapy, is also in progress. The results of the study are expected in the first half of 2009.
In August, Genentech rejected an unsolicited $43.7 billion, or $89 a share takeover offer from its majority shareholder, Roche, saying that the bid was too low. The Swiss Pharma giant already owns 56% of Genentech. Though Genentech has rejected the bear hug, analysts believe that the company has not entirely closed the door to the possibility. Roche's bid tabled on July 21, sent Genentech's shares up nearly 15% that day. The shares were trading above $90 since then till September 26, reaching a high of $99.14 on August 14. The stock lost most of its gains last week, closing Friday's trade at $87.53.
OSIP closed Friday's trade at $45.84, down 3.49% on a volume of 1.14 million shares.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.