Preliminary results of a Phase III study showed that Amgen Inc.'s osteoporosis drug denosumab significantly increased bone-mineral density (BMD) at the total hip in postmenopausal women who switched from using Merck & Co.'s Fosamax (alendronate). (BioWorld Today)

There were no surprises in abstract information released late Thursday night about Avastin (bevacizumab) in a Phase III trial in early stage colon cancer. However, Genentech Inc. revealed that final safety and efficacy results from the trial would be available a year earlier than expected, 2009 rather than 2010. (BioWorld Today)