MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Oct 30, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
-- Data from New Class of Effector Molecules Presented at AACR-NCI-EORTC Meeting --
ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN) today reported that data from its taxane-based Tumor-Activated Prodrug (TAP) platform showed exceptional anti-tumor activity in mice. Results were presented today at the 2001 American Association for Cancer Research -- National Cancer Institute -- European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (AACR-NCI-EORTC).
"Broadening our TAP technology is an important element of our long-term strategy," stated Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of ImmunoGen, Inc. "While our product candidates to date have used DM1 as the effector molecule, this new class of taxane-based effector molecules allows us to expand our development efforts to create new products as well as offer a new TAP platform to potential partners."
Results presented today demonstrated that taxane-based TAPs completely eradicated human tumor xenografts in mice at doses that were non-toxic. Histopathology results 75 days after tumor implantation showed no evidence of tumor. In comparison, doxorubicin, the "naked" antibody alone, and the combination of "naked" antibody and doxorubicin only slowed tumor growth. Taxane-based TAPs achieved these results at half the dosage level of doxorubicin at its maximum dosage level.
"These initial data demonstrate our success in developing potent taxanes suitable for use as TAPs," stated Walter Blattler, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Science and Technology, ImmunoGen, Inc. "Our taxane derivatives are significantly more potent than the proven chemotherapeutic agents, Taxol® and Taxotere®. We are confident that expanding our arsenal of effector molecules employing varying cell-killing mechanisms will provide us greater flexibility in developing cancer therapeutics. Current cancer treatment regimens use different combinations of chemotherapeutic agents. TAPs are designed to be effective with low toxicity, so we believe that different TAPs can be added to various regimens without an additive toxicity burden to patients."
ImmunoGen developed its TAP technology to address the therapeutic need for improved cancer therapies by delivering highly potent cytotoxic agents directly to tumor cells with minimal harm to healthy tissue. Each TAP product is comprised of a highly potent small-molecule effector drug chemically linked to a tumor-targeting monoclonal antibody. The TAPs are designed to act as prodrugs and remain nontoxic while circulating in the body, only being activated once they are inside the target cell.
Two of ImmunoGen's TAPs are under clinical evaluation. Both of these TAPs use the DM1 effector molecule, which is a member of a family of potent chemotherapeutic agents called maytansinoids. Maytansinoids act by a mechanism similar to established chemotherapeutic drugs such as the Vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine), which inhibit tubulin polymerization. The mechanism of action of taxanes (e.g., Taxol®, Taxotere®) differs from that of DM1 by inhibiting tubulin depolymerization, offering the potential to use the different TAP platforms in combination. ImmunoGen is also developing additional effector molecule platforms based on its proprietary small-molecule drug, DC1, a sequence-selective, DNA groove-binding agent, and anthracyclines based on doxorubicin derivatives.
About ImmunoGen, Inc.
ImmunoGen, Inc. develops innovative biopharmaceuticals, primarily for cancer treatment. The Company has created potent tumor-activated prodrugs, consisting of drugs coupled to monoclonal antibodies for delivery to and destruction of cancer cells. The Company has collaborative arrangements with GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech, Abgenix, Millennium, British Biotech, MorphoSys, Avalon Pharmaceuticals, and Raven Biotechnologies.
This press release includes forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from such expectations include, but are not limited to; the success of the Company's research strategy; the applicability of the discoveries made therein; the difficulties inherent in the development of pharmaceuticals, including uncertainties as to the timing and results of preclinical studies; delayed achievements of milestones; reliance on collaborators; uncertainty as to whether the Company's potential products will succeed in entering human clinical trials and uncertainty as to the results of such trials; uncertainty as to whether adequate reimbursement for these products will exist from the government, private healthcare insurers and third-party payors; and the uncertainties as to the extent of future government regulation of the pharmaceutical business.
