Russia has improbably emerged as a world leader in new cancer vaccines [1]. The country's regulatory body approved the use of Antigenics' new kidney cancer vaccine, Oncophage--a world first. And shares of little Antigenics swiftly soared 23 percent on the news.
The FDA has not approved the therapy, one of the first of a wave of treatments that is intended to train the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer. Oncophage failed a clinical trial [2], but researchers found in a follow-up analysis of the data that patients taking the therapy lived 1.7 years longer without the cancer reoccurring. This is the first time Russia has approved a drug that was not yet OK'd in its country of origin.
- check out the release [3]
- read the article [4] from CNBC
- here's the AP story [5]
Related Articles:
Big Pharma takes an interest in cancer vaccines. Report [1]
Antigenics' cancer vax gets mixed Phase III results. Report [6]
Antigenics reports positive data in brain cancer trial. Report [7]
Antigenics shares punished on Oncophage failure. Report [2]
Antigenics slashes staff in bid to conserve cash. Report [8]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/big-pharma-takes-interest-cancer-vaccines/2007-09-19
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/antigenics-shares-punished-on-oncophage-failure/2006-03-24
[3] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/oncophage-approved-russia-treatment-intermediate-risk-kidney-cancer
[4] http://www.cnbc.com/id/24010964
[5] http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/42617205833779519076a3f1e4cb4991.htm
[6] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/antigenics-cancer-vax-gets-mixed-phase-iii-results/2008-02-20
[7] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/antigenics-reports-positive-data-in-brain-cancer-trial/2007-04-16
[8] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/antigenics-slashes-staff-in-bid-to-conserve-cash/2005-12-07