Immunomedics' veltuzumab shows 68% OR rate

US biopharmaceutical company Immunomedics reported a 68% overall response rate in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura treated  with low doses of veltuzumab, administered either intravenously or  subcutaneously.

Results from a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, Phase I/II study  presented at the 14th Congress of the European Hematology Association,  in Berlin, Germany, show that 26% of patients had a complete response  (platelets increased to over 150,000 per microL blood). Responses  occurred across all doses tested, including the lowest dose at 80mg,  regardless of the route of administration. More importantly, all  patients who have a complete response to veltuzumab continue to maintain  their increased platelet levels, with two continuing for over one year.  It was found that the responses began within two to four days after the  first injection of veltuzumab.

"These encouraging results corroborate the initial findings that we  reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology  last December," said company chief executive Cynthia Sullivan. "The  study is now entering into Phase II, where additional patients will be  enrolled to receive subcutaneous injections," she added.