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Avastin is a biologic antibody designed to specifically bind to a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that plays an important role throughout the lifecycle of the tumor to develop and maintain blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. Avastin is designed to interfere with the blood supply to a tumor by directly binding to the VEGF protein to prevent interactions with receptors on blood vessel cells. Avastin does not bind to receptors on normal or cancer cells. The tumor blood supply is thought to be critical to a tumor’s ability to grow and spread in the body (metastasize).

Viewpoints: N.Y. health exchange stalemate; Dick Cheney's heart; vaccine debate refuses to die

Just in case you hadn't noticed, no one has elected Grover Norquist to anything. Still, he looms as a major obstacle to Congress reaching a deficit-reduction agreement needed to raise the federal debt ceiling. … what's revealing about Norquist's passionate advocacy against taxes is that it virtually ignores the main causes of bigger government: Social Security and Medicare.

12 Jul 2011

Nevada District Court rules in favor of PDL over Genentech, Roche lawsuit

PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) announced a favorable ruling today, specifically, that on July 7, 2011, the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada ruled in favor of PDL on two motions to dismiss filed by Genentech and F. Hoffmann LaRoche, Ltd. in PDL's lawsuit related to the 2003 settlement agreement with Genentech.

11 Jul 2011

Merck decides not to advance IMO-2055 development for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Idera Pharmaceuticals today provides an update on the clinical development of IMO-2055 (EMD 1201081), a TLR9 agonist for cancer treatment being developed by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, under its collaboration with Idera.

8 Jul 2011

Medicare coverage, pricey cancer drugs and the 'rationing' issue

As health care costs play an ever-increasing role in Washington's budget drama, Medicare officials announced last week they will continue to pay for two extremely expensive cancer treatments despite lingering questions about their effectiveness. At a cost of about $88,000 per year, the cancer-fighting Avastin will still be available to eligible senior citizens for breast cancer treatment.

7 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: 'Imaginary' mandates, premium hikes, Medicare leadership

Liberals are taking a victory lap since a federal appeals court upheld President Obama's health care plan last week, but not so fast. This is an idiosyncratic and flawed opinion, and we trust the Supreme Court, however it rules, will hold itself to a higher standard of jurisprudential reasoning.

6 Jul 2011

Medicare to cover 2 expensive cancer drugs

Medicare confirmed on Thursday that it would continue to pay for two expensive cancer drugs that had been at the center of debate — Avastin from Genentech for breast cancer and Provenge from Dendreon for prostate cancer.

2 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 1, 2011

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about sleep deprived medical residents, decisions by Medicare officials on covering two expensive drugs and states struggling with budget cuts.

1 Jul 2011

Avastin for breast cancer still covered by Medicare despite FDA indecision

The Medicare will continue to cover Avastin for breast cancer treatment even if U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Peggy Hamburg decides to withdraw Avastin for such use, according to Don McLeod, a spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. McLeod said, in his statement, “The FDA decision, when it comes, does not affect CMS.”

1 Jul 2011

Panel advises FDA to reject Avastin as breast cancer drug

The unanimous recommendation by this committee of cancer experts increases the likelihood that the drug will no longer be widely available for the treatment of breast cancer. Avastin, however, will continue to have the Food and Drug Adminstration's approval for use in treating certain other cancers.

1 Jul 2011

First Edition: June 30, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about yesterday's decision from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the health law.

30 Jun 2011

FDA's ODAC recommends withdrawal of Avastin approval for metastatic breast cancer

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced today that, during a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hearing, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended that the FDA withdraw its approval of Avastin in combination with paclitaxel chemotherapy for previously untreated HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

30 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Calif.'s budget, Supreme Court drug rulings, the Avastin debate

The budget is not realistic, counting on fantastical revenue projections as well as a redevelopment gambit that's likely to be blocked in court. It makes deep cuts in state programs that will have unwelcome repercussions in years to come. And if the revenue projections prove to be as overly optimistic as they seem, there will be more damaging cuts to education, child care and health services. Nevertheless, it's a more earnest effort to clean up the state's budget mess than Sacramento has seen in a decade or more.

30 Jun 2011

FDA looks at Avastin risks

The US Food and Drug Administration is holding a two-day hearing that pits the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research against Genentech, that manufactures breast cancer drug Avastin. A handful of breast cancer patients testified Tuesday that Avastin helped in treating their metastatic breast cancer but a review of studies conducted by the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research suggests the risks outweigh the benefits of Avastin for treating breast cancer, FDA officials said at the hearing.

29 Jun 2011

Patients, scientists in different corners for cancer drug fight

The drug, Avastin, will be the subject of an unusual Food and Drug Administration hearing to revisit a panel vote last July that steered many doctors away from prescribing the drug for the treatment of breast cancer.

29 Jun 2011

FDA hearing on breast cancer drug set for this week

Genentech, the maker of Avastin, will appeal to the Food and Drug Administration to make its drug available as a treatment for breast cancer — asking for one more chance to prove its efficacy.

28 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 27, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about the status of ongoing deficit negotiations and details about a "stealth" survey on access to doctors.

27 Jun 2011

Unavailability of Avastin more dangerous risk for breast cancer patients, says FAMEDS founder

Breast cancer patients and their families will rally together on Tuesday, June 28, at 7:00 am outside of the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). At issue will be the FDA's final hearing to remove the anti-cancer drug Avastin from the approved medication list for treatment of late stage breast cancer, despite the FDA approving it in 2008 for use to treat breast cancer.

24 Jun 2011

Arno AR-67 Phase II clinical study for glioblastoma meets pre-defined interim goals

Arno Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that its Phase II clinical study of AR-67 has met pre-defined interim goals for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who were not previously treated with Avastin and will continue toward completion.

23 Jun 2011

Controversy over F.D.A.-Avastin decision to reignite June 28-29 with new round of hearings

Controversy over the F.D.A.'s proposal to withdraw approval of Avastin for breast cancer treatment will reignite June 28-29 with a new round of hearings. One oncologist who will be monitoring the hearings is Dr. Frederick C. Tucker Jr. of Fredericksburg Oncology in Virginia, whose recent New York Times op ed defended the F.D.A.'s position on scientific grounds.

18 Jun 2011

PDL revises revenue guidance for second quarter 2011 to $122M

PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) today revised its guidance for the second quarter ending June 30, 2011, to approximately $122 million, as compared with actual results of $120 million for the second quarter of 2010, an anticipated one percent year-over-year increase.

9 Jun 2011