FDA Panel Backs Onyx Cancer Drug

A federal panel of cancer specialists on Wednesday unanimously recommended approval of an experimental drug from Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. for patients with advanced blood cancer.

By Brian L. Wilson:After a choppy and relatively bearish 2013, the cancer drug company Onyx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ONXX) is once again on the rise after the FDA approved the drug Stivarga (regorafenib) on February 25th, 2013 for the gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) indication in patients who have previously been treated with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate.

By Markus Aarnio:Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX) is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer and other serious diseases. The company is focused on developing novel medicines that target key molecular pathways.I see at least 3 reasons to buy the company: 1. Promising pipeline

By Scott Matusow:In the following article, I list 4 Bio Pharmas with upcoming drug approval decision dates. I give a summary with my opinion on the chances for each of their respective drugs being approved.The 5th and last company I mention in this article has very strong buy out speculation associated with it. I am personally convinced this company will receive and make public, a buy out offer within 2 weeks.

A panel of cancer experts rejected an experimental Merck drug for a rare form of cancer on Tuesday while recommending approval of a GlaxoSmithKline treatment for the same disease. Neither drug appears to help patients live longer, but panelists said Glaxo's Votrient helped delay tumor growth in the most vulnerable patients.

By Ed Liston: This year, a number of cancer drugs have received the FDA approval. In October 2012, the FDA approved Abraxane for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Abraxane is marketed by Celgene (CELG).

ByPropThink: By Aafia Chaudhry, MD On May 2, 2013, AVEO Oncology (AVEO) is set to face the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) for a review of the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for tivozanib, the proposed indication for treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. The PDUFA goal date for the final decision is by July 28, 2013.

Federal health regulators say the toxic side effects of an experimental cancer drug from Onyx Pharmaceuticals may outweigh the drug's benefits for patients with a type of blood cancer.