ImmunoGen, Inc. Announces the IND Is Now Active for Its Folate-Receptor Targeting Anticancer Compound, IMGN853
-
Potential new therapeutic for ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors which over-express folate
receptor 1 (FOLR1).
-
Achievement of active IND for IMGN853 closely follows start of
patient dosing with IMGN529 and initiation of Phase II testing with
IMGN901.
-
IMGN853 Phase I evaluation expected to begin in mid-2012.
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
ImmunoGen,
Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a biotechnology
company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics, today announced
that the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its IMGN853
product candidate is now active. IMGN853 is a potential new therapeutic
for ovarian cancer, NSCLC, and other epithelial malignancies which
over-express FOLR1. The Company expects Phase I evaluation of IMGN853 to
begin in mid-2012.
Recently the Company announced the start of Phase II testing with its
IMGN901 compound in small-cell lung cancer and — earlier today — it
announced the start of Phase I testing with its IMGN529 compound in
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. All three product candidates utilize the
Company's Targeted Antibody Payload (TAP) technology with ImmunoGen
antibodies and are wholly owned by the Company.
"Our progress with IMGN901, IMGN529 and now IMGN853 speaks to our
commitment to build and effectively advance a product pipeline of
significant anticancer therapeutics," commented Daniel Junius, President
and CEO. "Each of these product candidates employs our TAP technology
with its specific design optimized for its target. IMGN853, for example,
uses one of the novel linkers we engineered to counter the multi-drug
resistance that cancer cells can develop. Given the expression patterns
of its target, with IMGN853 we also have a diagnostic assay to help in
the identification of the patients most likely to benefit from
treatment."
About IMGN853
ImmunoGen created IMGN853 for the treatment of ovarian cancer, NSCLC,
and other epithelial malignancies that over-express FOLR1. The compound
comprises the Company's highly potent cancer-cell-killing agent, DM4,
attached to its M9346A FOLR1-targeting antibody using one of the novel
linkers ImmunoGen designed to counter multi-drug resistance. Many
cancers develop multi-drug resistance with continued treatment, making
the tumors increasingly difficult to kill.
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 IMGN853, IMGN529 and IMGN901, including risks related to
preclinical and clinical studies, 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
Kathryn Morris, 845-635-9828
Source: ImmunoGen, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
Close window | Back to top
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Mixx
Yahoo! Buzz