The company didn't release full results of a 900-patient study testing Avastin against a placebo in combination with several chemotherapy regimens.

FORBES: Genentech's Winning Streak

Ultimately, the hope is that relatively gentle new combinations of gene-targeted drugs will be able to replace far more toxic chemotherapy regimens.

FORBES: Genentech's Next Move

ImClone and Bristol-Myers hope that this property will allow Erbitux to become the common denominator in many different chemotherapy regimens for numerous types of cancer.

FORBES: Bristol, ImClone File On Erbitux

The approvals would be very good news for colon cancer patients, who would add two new targeted therapies to the three main chemotherapy regimens for the disease.

FORBES: Avastin Vs. Erbitux