Dive Brief:
- The FDA has approved Avastin (bevacizumab) for the treatment of platinum-resistant, recurrent ovarian cancer.
- Approval is based on phase III results from the AURELIA study in which Avastin decreased risk of progression by 62% in women who received it in conjunction with chemotherapy.
- Avastin plus chemo is the first new treatment for advanced ovarian cancer in the last 15-plus years. The drug also shifted the treatment landscape back in August when it was approved as part of combo treatment for advanced cervical cancer, becoming the first new FDA-approved cervical cancer therapy since 2006.
Dive Insight:
Avastin is truly a game-changer when it comes to augmenting the treatment effect of chemotherapy and as a part of various types of treatment regimens. In fact, in addition to the recent approvals of Avastin for ovarian cancer and cervical cancer, Avastin is already FDA-approved for metastatic colorectal cancer, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.
Last year, Avastin grossed almost $6.75 billion in revenues and may blast through the $10 billion mark this year.