Shares of Dendreon Corp., of Seattle, (NASDAQ:DNDN) gained almost 40 percent Thursday to close at $10.62 on news that it reported higher-than-expected fourth quarter revenue – $82 million – for Provenge (sipuleucel-T), its prostate cancer vaccine. Full-year gross revenues from Provenge sales were approximately $228 million. The autologous cellular immunotherapy was the first of its kind to be approved by the FDA in April 2010 for asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic castrate-resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer. Last quarter a poor sales report triggered stock selloffs, analyst downgrades and a corporate restructuring. Company execs attributed the improved sales momentum to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' updated policy to now cover the infusion costs associated with the administration of Provenge and an overall improved reimbursement landscape. (See BioWorld Today, Nov. 4, 2010.)

• InterMune Inc., of Brisbane, Calif., reported preliminary fourth-quarter net sales of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drug Esbriet (pirfenidone) totaling about $2.8 million. The drug, which gained approval in Europe last year, has been launched in Germany, with about 612 patients prescribed since mid-September. InterMune plans to launch Esbriet in France, Spain and Italy in the second quarter and in the UK in October.