MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Immunomedics,
Inc. (Nasdaq: IMMU), a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on
developing monoclonal antibodies, today announced that U.S. patent
7,151,164 will issue on December 19, 2006, covering methods for treating
B-cell disorders using the Company's monoclonal antibody that binds to the
CD20 antigen present on B-lymphocytes. The allowed claims cover the use of
the Company's product, hA20, which is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal
antibody for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas, leukemias and autoimmune
diseases.
"This patent strengthens our position for the advancement of a new
anti-CD20 antibody for the treatment of B-cell mediated diseases. Our hA20
antibody has demonstrated a number of features that we believe
differentiate it from other anti-CD20 antibodies, such as more rapid
administration, less adverse events during infusion and activity at lower
doses," commented Cynthia L. Sullivan, Company President and CEO. "We are
particularly interested in the efficacy at lower doses, because this could
permit evaluation of different formulation, such as subcutaneous
injections, which could be more convenient and economical for doctors and
patients," she further remarked.
About hA20
hA20 was constructed using the same human donor frameworks and methods
employed to make the Company's anti-CD22 antibody, epratuzumab. Epratuzumab
has been studied in over 300 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients and can
be infused within an hour. hA20 displays similar binding avidity,
specificity, and mechanisms of action as rituximab, but has structural
differences, and to date, shows an excellent safety and tolerability
profile, even when infused within 2 hours. At a single low dose of 120
mg/m2, hA20 depleted circulatory B-cells, and produced high complete
responses in recurrent NHL patients with prior rituximab treatments when
given once weekly over 4 concurrent weeks. Doses between 120 and 750 mg/m2
were evaluated in this multi-center clinical trial. To-date, no patients
have shown an elevated immune response to repeated injections of hA20. An
update of the ongoing Phase I study of hA20 will be presented next week at
the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in Orlando,
FL.
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. We have recently
licensed our lead product candidate, epratuzumab, to UCB, S.A. for the
treatment of all autoimmune disease indications worldwide. We have retained
the rights for epratuzumab in oncology indications for which UCB has been
granted a buy-in option. UCB has development, manufacture and
commercialization rights, and is responsible for all clinical trials
evaluating epratuzumab for the treatment of patients with moderate and
severe lupus. At present, there is no cure for lupus and no new lupus drug
has been approved in the U.S. in the last 40 years. We believe that our
portfolio of intellectual property, which includes approximately 108
patents issued in the United States, and more than 250 other issued patents
worldwide, protects our product candidates and technologies. We also have a
majority ownership in IBC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is developing a
novel dock and lock methodology, and a new method of delivering imaging and
therapeutic agents selectively to disease, especially different solid
cancers (colorectal, lung, pancreas, etc.), by proprietary, antibody-based,
pretargeting methods. Visit our web site at http://www.immunomedics.com.
This release, in addition to historical information, may contain
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including statements
regarding clinical trials, out-licensing arrangements (including the timing
and amount of contingent payments), 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 required financing and other sources of funds on acceptable
terms, if at all, as well as the risks discussed in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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
SOURCE Immunomedics, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.immunomedics.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/113121.html /
CONTACT:
Dr. Chau Cheng, Associate Director, Investor
Relations & Business Analysis, +1-973-605-8200, extension 123,
ccheng@immunomedics.com
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