European Commission approves new indication for Amgen's Vectibix

USA-based Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN), the world’s leading independent biotech firm, said on Monday it has received approval from the European Commission for a new use of Vectibix (panitumumab) as first-line treatment in combination with FOLFIRI for the treatment of adult patients with wild-type (WT) RAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

About half of the patients with mCRC have WT RAS tumors. FOLFIRI, an irinotecan-based chemotherapy regimen, is frequently used in first-line colorectal cancer treatment in Europe.

"Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Europe, and additional treatment options are important for patients and for physicians treating this serious disease," said Elliott Levy, senior vice president of global development at Amgen, adding: "The European Commission approval of Vectibix as a first-line treatment in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy means physicians have another treatment option for adult patients with wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer."