Antigenics gets world's first cancer vaccine approval
Russia has improbably emerged as a world leader in new cancer vaccines. 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, 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
- read the article from CNBC
- here's the AP story
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Antigenics' cancer vax gets mixed Phase III results. Report
Antigenics reports positive data in brain cancer trial. Report
Antigenics shares punished on Oncophage failure. Report
Antigenics slashes staff in bid to conserve cash. Report
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More stories about kidney cancer brain cancer immune system pharmaceuticals Oncophage Russia Phase III FDA cancer vaccine Antigenics
Comments
By MyFierceBiotechID | Posted 8:14am | April 9, 2008
First Sputnik, now immunobiology!
Once again, the lead in a major new field has been seized by the Russians, who had the foresight, intelligence, and knowledge to push back the frontiers of science while our "leaders" (sic) in Washington twiddled their thumbs and mistook motion for progress.
Only when when the Congress insists that those in charge of this nation's health care balance the needs of patients with terminal diseases against their worship of strict statistical measures of effectiveness will we see true progress on many fronts.
For now, it appears that the lead in immunotechnology may be shifting offshore. For that we have the FDA to thank!
By Kerry Donahue | Posted 8:47am | April 9, 2008
Change at the highest levels of the FDA is needed. If Dr. von Eschenbach lacks the ability to make that change happen than it is time to resign Mr. Commissioner.
By Anonymous | Posted 12:58am | April 10, 2008
Over-control by the US Pharmacy co's and molecular biologists will only serve to empower foreign competitors. The U.S. just spent a trillion dollars occupying another country. That money would have cured some cancers.
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