Genentech’s Avastin slows lung cancer tumor growth

06/04/07 - newratings.com

NEW YORK, June 4 (newratings.com) – Genentech Inc’s (DNA) cancer drug Avastin helped slow down tumor growth in patients with an advanced form of lung cancer, a new study indicated on Saturday.

The new study tested Avastin in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine. According to MarketWatch, the study could have adverse financial implications for Genentech and its majority owner, Roche Holding AG, since it indicated that a lower dose of Avastin was just as fine as a higher dose, which would result in lower amounts of the drug being prescribed and, hence, a slowdown in the drug's sales growth. Avastin sales grew by 54% to $1.7 billion in 2006, South San Francisco-based Genentech said.