Dendreon Completes FDA Submission For Cancer Drug

SEATTLE (AP) — Dendreon Corp. said Monday it completed its Food and Drug Administration application for the potential cancer drug Provenge.

The drug is aimed at treating prostate cancer. It works as a vaccine to stimulate the body's immune system so it fights the cancer, but is given as a treatment rather than a preventive. The application is ahead of the company's prior timeline for 2010.

"With the BLA (application) submission complete, we have taken an important step towards reaching our goal of bringing a new therapy to men with advanced prostate cancer," said President and CEO Dr. Mitchell H. Gold, in a statement.

The company has previously said it hopes to gain FDA approval and launch the drug in 2010.

Shares of Dendreon rose 41 cents to $25.68 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded between $2.55 and $30.42 over the past 52 weeks.