Pharmaceutical French drug major Sanofi-Aventis (Euronext: SAN) and USA-based partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: REGN) have announced that the Phase III VELOUR trial evaluating the investigational agent Zaltrap (aflibercept), also known as VEGF Trap, in combination with the FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen [folinic acid (leucovorin), 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan] versus a regimen of FOLFIRI plus placebo met its primary endpoint of improving overall survival (OS) in the second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The news, released on Tuesday, pushed Regeneron's shares 7.4% higher to $56 at close of trading that day. 28 April 2011