Genentech Suspends Recruitment in Avastin Trial

Ellis expects the trial to reopen for enrollment after a 60-day review. Genentech will still follow through with a U.S. trial of Avastin plus Folfox, compared with Folfox alone, in a group of post-surgery later-stage colorectal cancer patients. Unlike the Avant study, this trial doesn't include a Xelox arm.

"This decision further underscores the belief that the safety concerns seen in Avant are limited to Xelox plus Avastin," according to Rodman & Renshaw's Mike King.

Avastin is already approved as a first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The suspended study was reviewing the drug as a so-called adjuvant therapy designed to prevent the cancer from recurring.

Genentech's shares fell $2.04, or 2.4%, to $81.48 Monday.