• Genentech Inc., of South San Francisco, part of the Roche Group, said the FDA approved Avastin (bevacizumab) for use in combination with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan- or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) whose disease has progressed on a first-line Avastin-containing regimen. The approval is based on an 820-patient open-label study enrolling patients with mCRC who progressed during or within three months of discontinuing Avastin-based combination chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin or fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan in the first line.

• Kineta Inc., of Seattle, said it secured exclusive, worldwide development rights from the University of Utah Research Foundation to a portfolio of drug candidates based on the Conotoxin Rg1a for the non-narcotic treatment of chronic pain. The molecules were derived from the Rg1a peptide found in the venom of cone snails. Terms were not disclosed.

• Orexo AB, of Uppsala, Sweden, said it entered an agreement with London-based AstraZeneca plc regarding OX-CLI, a preclinical program for a potential treatment of respiratory diseases. Under the deal, Orexo granted AstraZeneca rights to conduct further preclinical research and evaluate compounds in the OX-CLI program, and AstraZeneca holds an option to acquire the compounds subject to a full asset transfer agreement under which Orexo would be entitled to development milestones and royalties. Specific terms were not disclosed.

• Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., said its shares are now trading on the OTCQB marketplace through the OTC Markets Group's OTC Link quotation system. The ticker remains the same, "PVCT."