- Company advances oral antagonist of CCR9, a chemokine receptor believed
to play a critical role in Crohn's disease -
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Millennium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLNM) today announced the advancement of
MLN3126, a new product candidate, from the Company's discovery engine to
its development pipeline. MLN3126 is a selective antagonist of CCR9, a
chemokine receptor known to be important in the migration of inflammatory
cells into the gastrointestinal tract. Along with MLN0002, an antibody
targeting the alpha4beta7 integrin, MLN3126 expands the Company's
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) franchise. MLN0002 already has
demonstrated the ability to induce clinical remission in patients with
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and is expected to enter pivotal
Phase III trials in late 2008 or early 2009 in both indications.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991220/MLNMLOGO )
"The development of MLN3126 leverages our knowledge and experience in
the area of IBD, a key focus area for Millennium," said Deborah Dunsire,
M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Millennium. "Building on our scientific
knowledge and broad patent estate in the area of chemokines, we have
identified a product candidate that is differentiated from others in this
field and potentially could benefit the millions of patients afflicted with
Crohn's worldwide."
"We are delighted to move forward some very promising molecules in IBD.
In addition to the positive direction of MLN3126, preliminary results from
bridging studies with MLN0002 from our new commercially scalable cell line
show favorable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profiles," said
Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Millennium. "These results are
exciting for Millennium and IBD patients as MLN0002 is one of only a few
novel product candidates being tested as alternatives to anti-TNF and other
immunosuppressive therapies for the disease."
In pre-clinical models, MLN3126 has shown to be potent and selective in
vitro and active as an orally administered molecule in an animal model of
IBD. The molecule is expected to enter Phase I clinical trials in early
2009.
About IBD
IBD is the general name for a group of chronic disorders that cause
inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Disorders include ulcerative
Colitis and Crohn's disease.
About Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract, although it mainly
presents itself in the small bowel. In Crohn's, the disease most commonly
affects just the small intestine (40%), though it can often affect both the
small and large intestine (colon) (30%) and in other cases just the colon
(30%).
Crohn's disease affects up to 150 people per 100,000 inhabitants, and
is most commonly diagnosed in the 15 to 25 year-old age groups. Recent
statistics appear to indicate a rise in the number of new cases. About 15
to 20 per cent of people with Crohn's disease have a close relative with
some form of IBD, suggesting a genetic predisposition in these patients.
About Millennium
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company
based in Cambridge, Mass., markets VELCADE, a novel cancer product, and has
a robust clinical development pipeline of product candidates. Millennium's
research, development and commercialization activities are focused in two
therapeutic areas: oncology and inflammation. By applying its knowledge of
the human genome, understanding of disease mechanisms and industrialized
drug discovery platform, Millennium is developing an exciting pipeline of
innovative product candidates. Millennium's website is http://www.millennium.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including
statements about the Company's growth, discovery and development of
products. Various important risks may cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially from the results indicated by these forward-looking
statements, including: adverse results in its drug discovery and clinical
development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for its
discoveries; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled
by third parties; the Company's dependence upon strategic alliance partners
to develop and commercialize products and services based on its work;
difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products
and services resulting from its development efforts; product withdrawals;
competitive factors; difficulties or delays in manufacturing the Company's
products; government and third-party reimbursement rates; the commercial
success of VELCADE and INTEGRILIN(R) (eptifibatide) Injection; achieving
revenue consistent with internal forecasts; and the requirement for
substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand
commercialization activities. For a further list and description of the
risks and uncertainties the Company faces, see the reports it has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Editors' Note: This press release is also available under the Media
section of the Company's website at: http://www.millennium.com.
Contacts:
Kyle Kuvalanka (investors) Jennifer Snyder (media)
(617) 761-4734 (617) 444-1439
SOURCE Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.millennium.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991220/MLNMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/114562.html/
CONTACT:
Investors, Kyle Kuvalanka, +1-617-761-4734,
or Media, Jennifer Snyder, +1-617-444-1439
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