Avastin Drives Genentech

"We currently anticipate filing Herceptin for adjuvant breast cancer in the first quarter of 2006 and expect to provide updates on filing timelines for Avastin data upon the completion of preliminary discussions with the FDA," she continued.

Genentech is preparing for potential FDA filings for Avastin for second-line metastatic colorectal cancer, first-line nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer, and metastatic breast cancer. Additional filings are also in the works for Rituxan, as well as for Lucentis, a product for wet age-related macular degeneration.

In a conference call Monday, the company did admit concerns of supply risks from manufacturing at 100% capacity and warned of possible higher costs from hiring and maintaining employees.

However, Genentech said it will focus on maintaining its corporate culture during the company's rapid growth. It plans to keep its broad-based stock option plan similar to other same-sized companies, saying the resulting costs are outweighed by the benefits.

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