MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Immunomedics, Inc.
(Nasdaq: IMMU), a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
monoclonal antibodies, today announced that it has received notices that the
U.S. and Australian patent offices have allowed claims in respective patent
applications covering methods for treating a wide range of autoimmune diseases
using monoclonal antibodies that bind to the CD22 antigen present on
B-lymphocytes. The allowed claims cover the use of the Company's lead
product, epratuzumab, which is a humanized anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody.
The claims also cover the use of anti-CD22 antibodies, alone and in
combination with other therapeutics, including antibodies, cytokines, or
drugs, for the treatment of major autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus
erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis, multiple
sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes mellitus, and ulcerative colitis. The
Company already has received patents for the use of CD22 antibodies in the
therapy of B-cell lymphomas.
"Gaining this patent protection in these two countries will further
strengthen the proprietary position of our CD22 antibody, epratuzumab, as we
advance its development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as lupus
and Sjogren's syndrome, which are in clinical trials," commented Company
President and CEO, Cynthia L. Sullivan.
About Epratuzumab
Epratuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD22 antigen,
found on the surface of B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Epratuzumab is being evaluated in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and is also
Immunomedics' lead product candidate in two pivotal Phase III trials for the
treatment of patients with moderate and severe systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE). The FDA granted a Fast Track designation to the clinical development
program for epratuzumab for the treatment of patients with SLE. Epratuzumab
has also demonstrated good safety, tolerability, and clinical efficacy in more
than 340 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, resulting in reports published
in The Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research.
About Immunomedics
Immunomedics is a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company focused on
the development of monoclonal antibody-based products for the targeted
treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases. We have developed
a number of advanced proprietary technologies that allow us to create
humanized antibodies that can be used either alone in unlabeled or "naked"
form, or conjugated with radioactive isotopes, chemotherapeutics or toxins, in
each case to create highly targeted agents. Using these technologies, we have
built a pipeline of therapeutic product candidates that utilize several
different mechanisms of action. Our lead product candidate, epratuzumab, is
currently in two pivotal Phase III trials, for the treatment of patients with
moderate and severe lupus. At present, there is no cure for lupus and no new
lupus treatment drug has been approved in the U.S. in the last 40 years. We
believe that our portfolio of intellectual property, which includes
approximately 90 issued patents in the United States, and more than 250 other
issued patents worldwide, protects its product candidates and technologies.
Visit the Company's web site at http://www.immunomedics.com.
This release, in addition to historical information, contains
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including statements regarding clinical
trials, out-licensing arrangements, and capital raising activities, involve
significant risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially
from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could cause such
differences include, but are not limited to, risks associated with new product
development (including clinical trials outcome and regulatory
requirements/actions), competitive risks to marketed products and availability
of financing and other sources of capital, as well as the risks discussed in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2004. The Company is not under any obligation, and the Company expressly
disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For More Information:
Dr. Chau Cheng
Associate Director, Investor Relations & Business Analysis
(973) 605-8200, extension 123
ccheng@immunomedics.com
Julie Huang
Financial Dynamics
(212) 850-5628
jhuang@fd-us.com
SOURCE Immunomedics, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.Immunomedics.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/113121.html
CONTACT:
Dr. Chau Cheng, Associate Director, Investor
Relations & Business Analysis Immunomedics, Inc.,
+1-973-605-8200, extension 123, ccheng@immunomedics.com; or Julie
Huang of Financial Dynamics, +1-212-850-5628, jhuang@fd-us.com,
for Immunomedics, Inc.
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