Exelixis Reports Favorable Trial Results for Kidney Cancer Drug

   By Josh Beckerman 
 

Exelixis Inc. provided updated Phase 3 trial results for its kidney cancer drug cabozantinib, which "significantly improved progression-free survival" compared with Novartis AG's everolimus, or Afinitor.

Exelixis said in July that cabozantinib met its primary endpoint in the trial, increasing survival.

The biopharmaceutical company said Friday that "treatment with cabozantinib resulted in a strong trend towards improving overall survival."

Results were favorable in the full study population for the primary endpoint analysis as well as a subgroup of patients who had received sunitinb as their only prior VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the company said.

Shares of Exelixis were up 15% to $6.79 in after-hours trading.

Cabozantinib was granted fast-track designation by the Food and Drug Administration in April, a status that can help speed approval for drugs and vaccines that address serious conditions and unmet medical needs.

Exelixis said it is on track for a New Drug Application filing in the U.S. by the end of 2015, and expects a European filing in early 2016.

Write to Josh Beckerman at [e-mail]

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 25, 2015 19:30 ET (23:30 GMT)

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