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MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunomedics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMMU) announced today that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued Patent 5,632,968 to the Company covering new methods and agents for the imaging and detection of cardiovascular lesions, such as atherosclerotic plaques, vascular clots (including thrombi and emboli), and myocardial infarcts. The patent claims involve the use of an antibody conjugate targeted to monocytes (blood cells which contribute to the formation of an arterial plaque) or to other antigens present at the disease site, such as platelets or fibrin.
"We are pleased to be able to expand our technology base in cardiovascular disease with this additional patent," commented Dr. David M. Goldenberg, Company Chairman and inventor of this new approach. "Although our product pipeline is presently focused on cancer and infectious disease imaging and therapy, we expect to benefit from the business prospects offered by this extension of our patent portfolio," he added. The Company currently holds 35 U.S.-issued and over 140 foreign-issued patents, with over 150 additional patent applications pending worldwide.
Immunomedics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development,
manufacture and commercialization of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic
products for patients with cancer and infectious diseases. Integral to these
products are highly specific monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments
designed to deliver radioisotopes and chemotherapeutic agents to tumors and
sites of infection. The Company's first product, CEA-Scan(R) for the
detection of colorectal cancer, has been approved in both the U.S. and Europe
and is being marketed by Mallinckrodt Inc. and its European affiliate,
Mallinckrodt Medical B.V. The Company's second product, LeukoScan(R), for the
detection of infectious disease, is currently on the market in the European
Union and under regulatory review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Immunomedics also has several other diagnostic imaging products and two
therapeutic products in clinical trials.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. The development and commercialization of the Company's
imaging and therapeutic programs and products may differ materially from the
Company's expectations. Among the factors that could result in a materially
different outcome are the inherent uncertainties accompanying new product
development and marketing, actions of regulatory authorities concerning
product approval, actions of government and private organizations concerning
reimbursement, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the results
of further clinical trials.
SOURCE Immunomedics, Inc.
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