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Millennium and Seattle Genetics Announce Brentuximab Vedotin (SGN-35) Presentations at 16th Congress of the European Hematology

^{Published on 2011-05-27 06:15:58 - Market Wire}
 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & BOTHELL, Wash.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company ] and [ Seattle Genetics, Inc. ] (NASDAQ:SGEN) today announced that an oral presentation and a poster presentation featuring brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) will be presented at the 16^th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) being held from June 9-12, 2011, in London.

One presentation includes data on brentuximab vedotin in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation, and the other includes data on the resolution of cutaneous lesions in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) patients treated with brentuximab vedotin. Full abstracts can be accessed on the EHA website at [ www.ehaweb.org ].

Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Objective responses with brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) who refused or were ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)
  • Presenter: Ranjana Advani, M.D., Stanford Advanced Medicine Cancer Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California
  • Data from patients with relapsed or refractory HL who refused or were ineligible for ASCT in Phase I trials of brentuximab vedotin
  • Abstract #938: Oral presentation session: Saturday, June 11, 2011; 4:45 P.M. GMT

Systemic ALCL

• Resolution of malignant cutaneous lesions with brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)
  • Presenter: Ranjana Advani, M.D., Stanford Advanced Medicine Cancer Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California
  • Data on patients with relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL who had malignant cutaneous lesions treated on a Phase II, single-arm, multicenter study
  • Abstract #1042: Poster presentation session: Friday, June 10, 2011; 5:45 P.M. GMT

About Brentuximab Vedotin

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a potent, synthetic drug, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) utilizing Seattle Genetics' proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells. This approach is intended to spare non-targeted cells and thus may help minimize the potential toxic effects of traditional chemotherapy while allowing for the selective targeting of CD30-expressing cancer cells, thus potentially enhancing the antitumor activity.

Seattle Genetics is jointly developing brentuximab vedotin with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and the Takeda Group has rights to commercialize brentuximab vedotin in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and the Takeda Group are funding joint development costs for brentuximab vedotin on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where the Takeda Group will be solely responsible for development costs.

About Millennium

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Mass., markets VELCADE, a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, and has a robust clinical development pipeline of product candidates. Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. in May, 2008. The Companya™s research, development and commercialization activities are focused in oncology. Additional information about Millennium is available through its website, [ www.millennium.com ].

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. The FDA has granted priority review to Biologics License Applications for its lead product candidate, brentuximab vedotin, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, with a PDUFA date of August 30, 2011. Brentuximab vedotin is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has four other clinical-stage programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME, dacetuzumab (SGN-40) and SGN-70. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys, an affiliate of Astellas, and Genmab. More information can be found at [ www.seattlegenetics.com ].

For Seattle Genetics: Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to the companya™s expectations for regulatory approval and commercial launch of brentuximab vedotin. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks that data from the pivotal Hodgkin lymphoma trial and phase II ALCL trial of brentuximab vedotin will not support marketing approval for the submitted indications. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained in the companya™s 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Editorsa™ Note: This press release is also available under the Media section of the Companiesa™ websites at: [ http://www.millennium.com/media ] or [ http://www.seattlegenetics.com ].

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