News

WALTHAM, Mass. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 10, 2009-- ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a biopharmaceutical company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its Tumor-Activated Prodrug (TAP) technology, today announced that a number of oral and poster presentations will be made by the Company and its corporate collaborators at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 100th Annual Meeting 2009 to be held April 18-22, 2009 in Denver, Colorado .

“The presentations being made at AACR by us and our collaborators underscore the robust science behind our expanding TAP technology portfolio and the development paths being pursued for the many clinical and preclinical pipeline compounds,” commented John Lambert, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.

These include presentations by ImmunoGen scientists on new linkers the Company has developed to further extend the utility of its TAP technology, and on preclinical findings supportive of the assessment of its IMGN901 targeted anticancer agent in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid^®) and low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

• “Antibody-maytansinoid conjugates with hydrophilic linkers: cytotoxic therapeutics with enhanced potency against cancer cells with low antigen number and multi-drug resistance” (abstract #5480) – Apr. 22, 8:00 AM – noon; Poster Section 33; Board 20.
• “Combination therapy with IMGN901 and lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone is highly effective in multiple myeloma xenograft models” (abstract #2799) – Apr. 20, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Poster Section 32; Board 29.

They also include presentations on compounds developed by the Company in conjunction with its research collaboration with sanofi-aventis. SAR3419 is in Phase I evaluation by sanofi-aventis and SAR650984 is in its preclinical pipeline.

• “Target-cell processing of the anti-CD19 antibody-maytansinoid conjugate SAR3419 in preclinical models” (abstract #5473) – Apr. 22, 8:00 AM – noon; Poster Section 33; Board 13.
• “Broad spectrum of antitumor activity of SAR650984, a humanized anti-CD38 antibody targeting hematological malignancies” (abstract #859) – Apr. 19, 8:00 AM – noon; Poster Section 36; Board 29.
• “In vivo therapeutic synergy of SAR650984, a humanized anti-CD38 antibody, in combination with melphalan in a multiple myeloma xenograft” (abstract #2797) – Apr. 20, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Poster Section 32; Board 27.
• “SAR650984, a humanized anti-CD38 antibody, shows potent in vitro activity by multiple mechanisms against various hematologic tumor cell lines” (abstract #2048) – ImmunoGen oral presentation; Apr. 20, 2:10 PM - 2:25 PM; Room 705-711.

Oral and poster presentations on trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) are being given by the Company’s collaboration partner, Genentech, a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group. T-DM1 comprises Genentech’s HER2-targeting antibody, trastuzumab, and ImmunoGen’s potent cell-killing agent, DM1. T-DM1 is in advanced clinical testing by Genentech and Roche for the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer; evaluation of T-DM1 for adjuvant use is now being considered.

• “Trastuzumab-DM1 antibody-drug conjugate is efficacious in lapatinib-resistant breast cancer cells” (abstract #2051) – Genentech oral presentation; Apr. 20, 2:40 PM - 2:55 PM; Room 705-711.
• “Enhanced in vitro and in vivo activity of trastuzumab-DM1 antibody-drug conjugate combined with GDC-0941, a small molecule inhibitor of PI3 kinase” (abstract # 3239) – Apr. 21, 8:00 AM - noon; Poster Section 12; Board 7.
• “Understanding the de-conjugation of Trastuzumab-MCC-DM1 through application of a multi-compartmental model of individual drug:antibody species in cynomolgus monkey” (abstract # 2914) – Apr. 20, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Poster Section 37; Board 5.

About ImmunoGen, Inc.

ImmunoGen, Inc. develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its expertise in cancer biology, monoclonal antibodies and the creation and attachment of potent cell-killing agents. The Company’s TAP technology uses antibodies to deliver one of ImmunoGen’s proprietary cell-killing agents specifically to cancer targets. In addition to the Company’s clinical pipeline, ImmunoGen collaborators Genentech (a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group), sanofi-aventis, Biogen Idec, and Biotest also are testing TAP compounds in the clinic, and the naked antibody AVE1642 is in clinical trials through the Company’s collaboration with sanofi-aventis. The most advanced TAP compound, T-DM1, is in Phase III testing. Other ImmunoGen collaborative partners include Bayer HealthCare and Amgen.

Revlimid^® is a registered trademark of Celgene Corporation.

Source: ImmunoGen, Inc.

ImmunoGen, Inc.
Carol Hausner, 781-895-0600
Executive Director, Investor Relations
and Corporate Communications
info@immunogen.com