Amgen, Allergan Biosimilar Lung-Cancer Therapy Shows Positive Results

Amgen Inc. and Allergan PLC said their investigational biosimilar treatment for advanced lung cancer demonstrated clinical equivalence in safety and effectiveness compared with Roche Holding AG's Avastin.

The investigational biosimilar for advanced nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer—called ABP 215—is being developed as a biosimilar to bevacizumab, which is marketed under the brand name Avastin.

Amgen's head of research and development Sean Harper said in prepared remarks Wednesday that nonsmall-cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and the European Union among both men and women.

The introduction of biosimilar drugs in the U.S., which kicked off this month with Novartis AG's version of an Amgen Inc. blockbuster, is expected to provide options to battle rising drug prices, which have been drawing increasing criticism.

Amgen and Allergan are collaborating on four biosimilar cancer treatments while both drug makers are developing biosimilar treatments separately.

Earlier this year, Amgen's investigational biosimilar treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis showed clinical equivalence with AbbVie's Humira after 24 weeks in a phase III study.

Write to Tess Stynes at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 23, 2015 10:35 ET (14:35 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.