ImmunoGen, Inc. Announces Development of Trastuzumab Emtansine for Early Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a biotechnology company with a proprietary Targeted Antibody Payload (TAP) technology, today announced that Roche is implementing a "three-pronged approach" to developing trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) for early stage HER2-positive breast cancer, according to plans outlined by Roche at its 2012 ASCO analyst event. Trastuzumab emtansine uses ImmunoGen's TAP technology with Roche's trastuzumab antibody and is in global development by Roche under an agreement between ImmunoGen and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

In its analyst event presentation, Roche reported that it intends to initiate three studies with trastuzumab emtansine for early stage HER2-positive breast cancer, assessing the compound:

• As single-agent therapy for patients with residual invasive disease following preoperative (neoadjuvant) systemic treatment;
• Used in combination with chemotherapy and pertuzumab in the adjuvant setting; and
• Used in combination with chemotherapy and pertuzumab in the neoadjuvant setting.

Roche expects to begin all three trials in 2013. Additional details on the plans reported are available on Roche's website, www.roche.com.

"Genentech and Roche have unparalleled experience in the development of HER2-targeting antibody therapies for breast cancer," commented Daniel Junius, President and CEO. "With the studies outlined today, their plans for trastuzumab emtansine now include registration studies across the spectrum of early stage to advanced HER2-positive breast cancer."

Trastuzumab emtansine is currently being evaluated in three Phase III trials for the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Data from the first of these, EMILIA, were reported in a plenary session at ASCO earlier today and, per Roche, will form the basis of its applying for marketing approval of the compound in the US and Europe.

Trastuzumab emtansine comprises ImmunoGen's DM1 cancer cell-killing agent linked using the Company's method of attachment to the trastuzumab antibody developed by Genentech.

About ImmunoGen, Inc.

ImmunoGen, Inc. develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using the Company's expertise in tumor biology, monoclonal antibodies, potent cancer-cell killing agents and engineered linkers. The Company's TAP technology uses monoclonal antibodies to deliver one of ImmunoGen's proprietary cancer cell-killing agents specifically to tumor cells. There are now numerous TAP compounds in clinical development with a wealth of clinical data reported. ImmunoGen's collaborative partners include Amgen, Bayer HealthCare, Biotest, Lilly, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi. The most advanced compound using ImmunoGen's TAP technology, trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), is in Phase III testing through the Company's collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. More information about ImmunoGen can be found at www.immunogen.com.

This press release includes forward-looking statements. For these statements, ImmunoGen claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It should be noted that there are risks and uncertainties related to the development of novel anticancer products, including trastuzumab emtansine, including risks related to clinical studies and regulatory submissions, their timings and results. A review of these risks can be found in ImmunoGen's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For Investors:
ImmunoGen, Inc.
Carol Hausner, 781-895-0600
Executive Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
info@immunogen.com
or
For Media:
The Yates Network
Barbara Yates, 781-258-6153

Source: ImmunoGen, Inc.

News Provided by Acquire Media