June 8 2004
San Francisco Business Times
Onyx-Bayer drug cocktail not effective against pancreatic cancer
An early stage trial of an experimental cancer drug jointly developed by Richmond-based Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Bayer AG did not appear to help patients with advanced pancreatic cancer when paired with an existing cancer drug, Gemzar, developed by Eli Lilly and Co, researchers said this week. The Onyx-Bayer drug, BAY 43-9006, is being tested for effectiveness treating several cancers. Studies have shown the drug shrinks tumors in advanced malignant skin cancer and in patients suffering from kidney cancer. The drug deprives tumors of blood and also acts on proteins to prevent cancer cells from multiplying. It is in separate trials to treat a variety of other cancers.