PHILADELPHIA, June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunomedics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMMU)
reported today that its therapeutic product candidates, as well as those of
its subsidiary company, IBC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., were the subject of nine
presentations made at the largest nuclear medicine meeting held annually.
Both clinical and preclinical advancements included radiolabeled antibody
therapy of colorectal and pancreatic cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma (NHL).
Two multicenter, Phase-I, dose-escalation studies of 90-Yttrium-
labetuzmab, the humanized antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),
were completed in patients with advanced colorectal and pancreatic cancers,
Picozzi and coworkers, (Seattle, WA, abstracts 1207 and 1208). Both studies,
involving 15-18 patients each, showed tumor targeting, acceptable normal organ
radiation doses, and a maximum tolerated dose for a single administration of
25 mCi/m-2. Suppression of the bone marrow was the expected dose-limiting
side effect. In another paper, Augensen and associates (Morris Plains, NJ;
abstract 1358) described a new clinical method for determining radiation
estimates to specific organs when 111-Indium- and 90-Yttrium-labeled
antibodies are given.
Koppe and collaborators (Nijmegen, The Netherlands; abstract 116) studied
various therapeutic isotopes attached to labetuzumab. The best therapeutic
effects in this model of micrometastatic disease were obtained when the
anti-CEA antibody was labeled with 177-Lutetium or 131-Iodine.
Since 131-Iodine tagged to antibodies appears useful for treating
micrometastatic disease, Immunomedics' scientists reported an improved method
of labeling antibodies with this isotope. Govinden and coworkers (Morris
Plains, NJ; abstract 1040) found that a new "residualizing" labeling method in
preclinical experiments had superior antitumor effects when compared to the
conventional labeling method.
Three additional papers reported advances with pretargeting
radioimmunotherapy, the proprietary methodology of IBC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
involving bispecific antibodies given prior to the administration of targeted
peptides carrying therapeutic isotopes. Van Schaijk and associates (Nijmegen,
The Netherlands; abstract 1041) showed in preclinical models of human
colorectal cancer that bispecific antibodies resulted in high tumor uptake of
the radiolabeled peptides. Another European group, from Nantes, France
(Mirallie and coworkers; abstract 1048) showed in preclinical animal models
that clearing of unbound biotin-bispecific antibody with avidin may reduce
bone marrow exposure by the radiotherapy.
Sharkey and colleagues (Belleville, NJ; abstract 1019) showed that in a
preclinical NHL model, pretargeted radioimmunotherapy with bispecific
antibodies targeting the CD20 antigen provided a survival advantage when
compared to directly 90-Y-labeled anti-CD20 antibody therapy.
"These diverse technologies point to expanding our experience with our
antibodies, as well as showing improved therapeutic efficacy in preclinical
studies involving our proprietary pretargeting methods," commented Cynthia L.
Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Immunomedics. "Clinical
trials with our bispecific labetuzumab in a pretargeting system are underway
in several centers in France," she added.
Immunomedics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development,
manufacture and commercialization of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic
products for the detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases.
Integral to these products are highly specific monoclonal antibodies and
antibody fragments designed to deliver radioisotopes and chemotherapeutic
agents to tumors and other sites of disease. Immunomedics has nine
therapeutic product candidates in clinical development and has two marketed
diagnostic imaging products. The most advanced therapeutic product candidates
are LymphoCide(R) (epratuzumab), for which certain Phase II clinical trials
for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have already been completed, and
CEA-Cide(R) (labetuzumab), which is in Phase I/II clinical trials for the
treatment of certain solid tumors.
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,
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 year June 30, 2003. 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.
Company Contact: Trish Merwin, Finance & Investor Relations Coordinator,
(973) 605-8200, extension 263. Visit the Company's web
site at http://www.Immunomedics.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:
Trish Merwin, Finance & Investor Relations
Coordinator, Immunomedics, Inc., +1-973-605-8200, ext. 263
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