Therion Biologics

Why It's Fierce: It's show time for Therion. The FDA has OK'd a pivotal Phase III trial of its lead vaccine candidate, Panvac, an experimental treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer in patients who have failed treatment with gemcitabine. The trial -- involving 250 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer -- is proceeding under a Special Protocol Assessment, which is likely to speed up assessment of a marketing application. Its primary goal is to improve the survival rate of patients compared with supportive care and chemo.

What to look for: Therion's second vaccine candidate, Prostvac-VF, is currently in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of prostate cancer.