Amgen's Vectibix Meets Goal in Colon Cancer Study

Biotechnology company Amgen Inc. said Monday its cancer drug Vectibix met the key treatment goals in a late-stage study focusing on patients with colon cancer.

The study focused on a combination of Vectibix and chemotherapy as second-line treatment for patients. It involved 1,186 patients who had previously received therapy.

Earlier in August, the company reported positive results from a late-stage study focusing on Vectibix as an initial treatment for colon cancer.

Vectibix is currently only approved as a third-line treatment, meaning Amgen can market it to doctors for patients who have unsuccessfully used two other therapies. Amgen is conducting studies in the hope of gaining approval to market it as a first- and second-line treatment.

Full results from the studies will be presented at an upcoming medical conference in Europe.

Shares of Amgen rose 5 cents to $59.89 in after-hours trading after falling $1.01 to close at $59.84 during the regular trading session.

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