ImmunoGen gets $5M milestone

ImmunoGen, a US biopharmaceuticals company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its Tumor-Activated Prodrug (TAP) technology, says that biotechnology major Genentech has started Phase II clinical testing of trastuzumab-DM1. This event triggers a $5.0 million milestone payment to ImmunoGen. Trastuzumab-DM1 comprises ImmunoGen's cell-killing agent, DM1, linked to Genentech's HER2-targeting antibody, trastuzumab, and is in development by the latter for the potential treatment of HER2-expressing metastatic breast cancer.

Mitchel Sayare, chief executive, commented: "we're delighted with the progress Genentech is making in their development of trastuzumab-DM1 and with the clinical findings reported to date. We anticipate sustained growth over time in the number of TAP compounds in clinical testing and in those advancing to later-stage trials. In fact, Phase II testing of our wholly-owned huC242-DM4 TAP compound is expected to begin imminently."

Genentech began Phase I evaluation of trastuzumab-DM1 in April 2006, reported initial Phase I data at the San Antonio Breast Cancer symposium in December 2006 that year and additional findings at the 43rd American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in June 2007. The Phase II study now underway assesses trastuzumab-DM1 in patients with HER2-expressing metastatic breast cancer that has progressed on treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab) plus chemotherapy.