An experimental drug to treat lung cancer appeared to benefit two-thirds of patients who used it, according to a study presented on Friday by manufacturer Telik Inc., pushing shares up as much as 17 percent.

The compound, Telcyta, aims to treat non-small cell lung cancer, one of the deadliest and poorly treated types of cancer.

Among 13 patients who took the medication along with a standard chemotherapy combination, seven experienced a partial response, and one patient had a complete response.

Results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Shares were up 35 cents, or 2.1 percent, at $17.35 in afternoon Nasdaq trade after rising as high as $19.87 earlier in the session.