Genetech, the largest U.S. maker of of cancer drugs, is waiting for FDA approval for its new drug Avastin. The drug’s main use will be for breast cancer patients with tumors that have spread to other parts of the body, otherwise known as metastatic breast cancer.

Avastin is the first medicine shown to cut off blood flow to tumors and was approved in 2004 for colorectal cancer and in 2006 for lung tumors. It is currently being tested in studies against 20 different types of cancer. The drug may also be an alternative for patients whose tumors are fueled by a gene mutation.

Advisers will make a recommendation to the FDA, which will make its decision by February 2007.