SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 22
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) and Medarex,
Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDX) today announced encouraging follow-up data from the
ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of Cell Genesys' GVAX immunotherapy for
prostate cancer, administered in combination with Medarex's fully human
anti-CTLA-4 antibody, ipilimumab (MDX-010). Medarex is jointly developing
ipilimumab with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Twelve patients with advanced
prostate cancer have completed treatment to date. Of the six patients
treated in the two highest dose groups, antitumor activity has been
observed in five patients, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
declines of greater than 50% that were maintained in four of these patients
for at least six months, with the longest response ongoing at more than 12
months. Moreover, clinical evidence of antitumor activity has been observed
in three of these five PSA responders, including improvement of multiple
lesions on bone scan, resolution of abdominal lymph node disease by CT
scan, and improvement in pain due to bone metastases, respectively. Two
additional patients have had stable disease on bone scan for at least three
months. All five patients with PSA declines experienced either Grade 2 or 3
immune-mediated endocrine deficiencies similar in type to those previously
reported with ipilimumab therapy and were successfully treated with
standard hormone replacement therapy. Two patients requiring thyroid
replacement therapy were successfully tapered off after recovery of thyroid
function, with one patient subsequently maintaining a PSA response. One
patient developed a Grade 3 dose-limiting pulmonary alveolitis. A maximum
tolerated dose for the combination therapy has not yet been defined.
Immunomonitoring studies showed that the combination therapy enhanced T
cell and dendritic cell activity, which was more pronounced at the higher
dose levels. These data were presented today by Winald Gerritsen, M.D.,
Ph.D., director of the University Hospital Vrije Universiteit Cancer Center
in Amsterdam, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Prostate
Cancer Symposium being held in Orlando, FL.
This dose-escalation combination trial is currently expected to enroll
a total of approximately 25 to 30 patients with metastatic,
hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). The treatment dose for GVAX
immunotherapy for prostate cancer used in this combination trial is the
same dose currently being tested in Cell Genesys' VITAL-1 Phase 3 trial.
The treatment dose for ipilimumab was escalated in sequential groups of
three patients and has now reached dose levels associated with therapeutic
activity. The primary endpoints of the study are safety and the
determination of a maximum tolerated dose for the combination therapy.
Efficacy endpoints include time to clinical disease progression, time to
PSA progression and PSA response, immune response to GVAX, reduction in
metabolic bone activity and survival. The study is being conducted under a
research collaboration agreement between Cell Genesys, Inc. and Medarex,
Inc. signed in 2003, which provides an equal sharing of expenses for the
above clinical trial. In 2005 Medarex entered into a collaboration
agreement for the development and commercialization of ipilimumab with
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
"We continue to be encouraged by the interim results of this trial
which now include evidence for the durability of the antitumor responses
along with the frequency of such responses, observations which we believe
have not been previously experienced for a combination of immunotherapies
in advanced prostate cancer," stated Rob Dow, M.D., chief medical officer
of Cell Genesys. "Moreover, we believe these findings provide further
support for our ongoing Phase 3 trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate
cancer and additional validation for the GVAX immunotherapy platform in
general."
"We are pleased with the interim results and believe that the data
continues to support the use of ipilimumab in combination with other
treatment modalities, including GVAX immunotherapy," said Geoffrey M.
Nichol, senior vice president, Product Development at Medarex.
About GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer
GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer is currently being studied as a
single agent and in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy in two Phase 3
clinical trials expected to enroll approximately 1200 patients with
metastatic HRPC. Cell Genesys received Special Protocol Assessments (SPA)
from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for each of the Phase 3 studies
and recently also received Fast Track designation for the product. Cell
Genesys' ongoing Phase 3 program is supported by the median survival
results from two, independent, multi-center Phase 2 clinical trials in
approximately 115 patients that are not only consistent with each other,
but also compare favorably to the previously published median survival of
18.9 months for metastatic HRPC patients treated with Taxotere(R)
(docetaxel) chemotherapy plus prednisone, the current standard of care.
GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer is comprised of two prostate cancer
cell lines that have been modified to secrete GM-CSF
(granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor), an immune stimulatory
hormone, and irradiated for safety. GVAX cancer immunotherapy for prostate
cancer is being developed as a non patient- specific, "off-the-shelf"
pharmaceutical product.
Clinical Trials Information for GVAX:
Patients seeking information about clinical trials of GVAX
immunotherapy for prostate cancer can obtain information by calling
1.800.648.6747 ext. 3210, and also by checking http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
(keyword: GVAX) and by visiting the company's website at
http://www.cellgenesys.com.
About Ipilimumab
Ipilimumab (also known as MDX-010) is a fully human antibody against
human CTLA-4, a molecule on T cells that is believed to be responsible for
suppressing the immune response. Medarex and Bristol-Myers Squibb are
investigating the potential of ipilimumab to enable the immune systems of
cancer patients to help suppress tumor growth. Ipilimumab is currently in
three separate registrational studies for metastatic melanoma as a
second-line monotherapy treatment, as a first-line treatment in combination
with dacarbazine, and as a second-line treatment in combination with a
melanoma- peptide vaccine. Ipilimumab is also involved in multiple Phase II
clinical trials to investigate the product's potential activity in other
tumor types, as well as in combination studies with chemotherapy,
immunotherapy and vaccines. Further information regarding the Medarex
ipilimumab program can be found in Medarex's public disclosure filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Clinical Trials Information for Ipilimumab:
For study enrollment information, in the United States and Canada
contact 1-866-892-1BMS Ext. 342 or http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Outside of the
United States and Canada, call 1-941-906-4711 Ext. 342.
About Cell Genesys
Cell Genesys is focused on the development and commercialization of
novel biological therapies for patients with cancer. The company is
currently pursuing two clinical stage product platforms -- GVAX cancer
immunotherapies and oncolytic virus therapies. Ongoing clinical trials
include Phase 3 trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, Phase 2
trials of GVAX immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer and leukemia, and a
Phase 1 trial of CG0070 oncolytic virus therapy for bladder cancer. Cell
Genesys continues to hold an equity interest in its former subsidiary,
Ceregene, Inc., which is developing gene therapies for neurodegenerative
disorders. Cell Genesys is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA and has
its principal manufacturing operation in Hayward, CA. For additional
information, please visit the company's website at http://www.cellgenesys.com.
About Medarex
Medarex is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery,
development and potential commercialization of fully human antibody-based
therapeutics to treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases, including
cancer, inflammation, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. Medarex
applies its UltiMAb(R) technology and product development and clinical
manufacturing experience to generate, support and potentially commercialize
a broad range of fully human antibody product candidates for itself and its
partners. Over thirty of these therapeutic product candidates derived from
Medarex technology are in human clinical testing or have had INDs submitted
for such trials, with six of the most advanced product candidates currently
in Phase III clinical trials. Medarex is committed to building value by
developing a diverse pipeline of antibody products to address the world's
unmet healthcare needs. For more information about Medarex, visit its
website at http://www.medarex.com.
Cautionary Statements
For Cell Genesys: Statements made herein about the company, other than
statements of historical fact, including statements about the company's
progress, financial results, timing and results of clinical trials and
preclinical programs, and the nature of product pipelines are
forward-looking statements and are subject to a number of uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements
made, including risks associated with the success of clinical trials and
research and development programs, the regulatory approval process for
clinical trials, competitive technologies and products, patents,
continuation of corporate partnerships and the need for additional funding.
For information about these and other risks which may affect Cell Genesys,
please see the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2005 filed on March 13, 2006 as well as Cell Genesys' reports
on Form 10-Q and 8-K and other reports filed from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The company assumes no obligation to
update the forward-looking information in this press release.
For Medarex: Except for the historical information presented herein,
matters discussed herein may constitute forward-looking statements that are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical
facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the
words "potential"; "believe"; "anticipate"; "intend"; "plan"; "expect";
"estimate"; "could"; "may"; or similar statements are forward-looking
statements. Medarex disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include risks
associated with product discovery and development, uncertainties related to
the outcome of clinical trials, slower than expected rates of patient
recruitment, unforeseen safety issues resulting from the administration of
antibody products in patients, uncertainties related to product
manufacturing as well as risks detailed from time to time in Medarex's
public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10Q/A and Form
10-Q. There can be no assurance that such development efforts will succeed
or that other developed products will receive required regulatory clearance
or that, even if such regulatory clearance were received, such products
would ultimately achieve commercial success. Copies of Medarex's public
disclosure filings are available from its investor relations department.
NOTE: Cell Genesys(R) and the Cell Genesys logo are registered
trademarks of Cell Genesys, Inc. All rights are reserved.
Medarex(R), the Medarex logo and UltiMAb(R) are registered trademarks
of Medarex, Inc. All rights are reserved.
Contacts: Ina Cu Laura Choi (Investor Relations)
Cell Genesys, Inc. Medarex, Inc.
650-266-3200 609-430-2880, x2216
Jean Mantuano (Corporate Communications)
Medarex, Inc.
609-430-2880, x2221
SOURCE Cell Genesys, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.cellgenesys.com/
CONTACT:
Ina Cu of Cell Genesys, Inc.,
+1-650-266-3200; or investors, Laura Choi, ext. 2216, or media,
Jean Mantuano, ext. 2221, both of Medarex, Inc., +1-609-430-2880
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