ImmunoGen’s IMGN529 for B-Cell Malignancies Demonstrates Synergistic Activity with Rituximab in Preclinical Models of Non-H...
June 17 2015 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
ImmunoGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMGN), a biotechnology company that
develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its antibody-drug
conjugate (ADC) technology, today announced the first presentation
of findings with the Company’s CD37-targeting ADC, IMGN529, in
combination with the CD20-targeting antibody, rituximab (Rituxan®),
in preclinical assessments. These data are being presented in a
poster at the 13th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma
taking place in Lugano, Switzerland (abstract #P-274).
Among the findings being presented are:
- IMGN529 exhibits strong synergy with
rituximab and other CD20-targeting antibodies in cell lines
representative of an array of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes,
including both GCB and ABC diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
(DLBCL);
- Consistent with the in vitro findings,
the combination of IMGN529 and rituximab was highly active against
DLBCL models in vivo;
- Synergy also was seen in vitro in a
model representative of “double hit” lymphoma, a particularly
difficult-to-treat type of DLBCL characterized by deregulation of
two different genes, BCL2 (or BCL6) and MYC; and
- Both IMGN529’s antibody component and
its DM1 payload contributed to its synergistic activity with
rituximab.
“Rituximab is a standard of care in the treatment of B-cell
malignancies, and thus it is highly exciting that IMGN529 and
rituximab demonstrate synergistic activity in combination in these
models,” commented Dr. Charles Morris, EVP and Chief Development
Officer of ImmunoGen. “We plan to initiate clinical testing of
IMGN529 in combination with rituximab later this year to assess the
potential benefit of such a regimen for patients with DLBCL.”
IMGN529 is currently in Phase I clinical testing for the
treatment of NHL, used as a single agent in patients with heavily
pre-treated disease. It has demonstrated encouraging evidence of
activity, particularly for patients with relapsed/refractory
DLBCL.1 Later this year, ImmunoGen plans to begin assessing IMGN529
used in combination with rituximab for the treatment of
relapsed/refractory DLBCL in addition to assessing it as a single
agent in DLBCL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease-specific
patient populations.
About IMGN529
IMGN529 is a CD37-targeting ADC created by ImmunoGen for the
treatment of B-cell malignancies. It consists of a CD37-binding
antibody with one of the Company's potent cancer cell-killing
agents, DM1, attached. The antibody serves to deliver the DM1
specifically to B cells to kill them and, based on preclinical
research, also contributes anticancer activity.
About Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
More than 70,000 people will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin
lymphoma (NHL) in the US in 2014.2 DLBCL is an aggressive lymphoma
that represents approximately one third of the new NHL cases
diagnosed annually.2 GCB, or Germinal Center B-cell like, and ABC,
or Activated B-cell like, are prevalent sub-types of DLBCL which
can differ markedly in their responses to treatment.
About ImmunoGen, Inc.
ImmunoGen, Inc. develops targeted anticancer therapeutics. The
Company’s ADC technology uses tumor-targeting antibodies to deliver
an ImmunoGen cell-killing agent specifically to cancer cells. The
Company utilizes its ADC technology with its antibodies to create
ImmunoGen product candidates and also out-licenses limited rights
to use its technology to other companies. Roche’s Kadcyla® is the
first marketed product with ImmunoGen’s ADC technology. More
information about the Company can be found at
www.immunogen.com.
Rituxan® and Kadcyla® are registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
1American Society of Hematology annual meeting 2014; abstract
#1760.
2American Cancer Society (2014), Cancer Facts & Figures.
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 IMGN529, 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, 2014 and
other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150617005195/en/
For Investors:ImmunoGen, Inc.Carol Hausner,
781-895-0600info@immunogen.comorFor Media:Pure Communications,
Inc.Dan Budwick, 973-271-6085
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