Amgen's virus-based cancer drug wins European green light

[October 23, 2015]  LONDON (Reuters) - An experimental Amgen drug based on a tumour-killing virus was given a green light by European regulators on Friday, paving the way for the novel treatment's approval within a couple of months.

The decision is a further milestone for a technology that has long fascinated scientists but has previously proved difficult to harness.

The European Medicines Agency said its experts had recommended approval of talimogene laherparepvec or "T-Vec" for treating melanoma, making it another option among several new drugs for fighting for the most deadly form of skin cancer.

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by Jason Neely)

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