Seattle Genetics Publishes Preclinical Antibody-Drug Conjugate Technology Research In Nature Biotechnology
Thursday June 5, 9:02 am ET
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2003--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN - News) announced today the publication of preclinical data related to its proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology in Nature Biotechnology.
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The research involves the development and activities of a novel class of ADCs composed of highly potent, synthetic drugs chemically attached to monoclonal antibodies through stable linkage systems. The publication is currently available online and will be printed in the July 2003 issue of Nature Biotechnology.
"This publication describes our progress towards developing highly effective ADCs for cancer therapy," commented Peter D. Senter, Ph.D., Vice President of Chemistry at Seattle Genetics and corresponding author on the paper. "Our approach has been to thoroughly evaluate all of the components of the ADC, including the drug, the linker and the method by which the drug is attached to the antibody. This has resulted in a new generation of highly potent, serum-stable immunoconjugates that have shown potent antitumor activity in preclinical models at well tolerated doses."
The ADC technology described in the Nature Biotechnology paper utilizes stable, enzyme-cleavable linkers and a class of highly potent, cell-killing drugs known as auristatins. The synthetic drug-linkers are attached to tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies in such a way as to allow for active drug release under conditions present within the target tumor cells. The published findings demonstrate that these ADCs exhibit greater in vitro specificity and lower in vivo toxicity than corresponding conventional conjugates. The ADCs induced regressions and cures of established tumors at doses as low as 1/60th the maximum tolerated dose in preclinical models.
"ADCs have been studied for over two decades, yet issues related to their stability, potency, toxicity and ease of manufacturing have remained. This paper describes our extensive research towards the development of therapeutically active drug conjugates," stated Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Seattle Genetics. "We believe our ADC technology provides a next-generation approach to targeted drug delivery."
Seattle Genetics' pipeline contains multiple antibody-based product candidates, including SGN-35, which is in preclinical development for the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies. SGN-35 utilizes the company's leading ADC technology and has been shown to be highly active in preclinical models of human cancers. In addition, the company is actively evaluating other tumor-reactive monoclonal antibodies for use with its ADC technology. Seattle Genetics has also licensed its ADC technology to other companies developing targeted therapies.
About Seattle Genetics
Seattle Genetics discovers and develops monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics to treat cancer and other human diseases. The company has built a diverse portfolio of product candidates targeted to many types of cancer, including two being tested in multiple ongoing clinical trials, SGN-30 and SGN-15, and three in preclinical development, SGN-40, SGN-35 and SGN-17/19. The product candidates encompass three platform technologies: genetically engineered monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT). Seattle Genetics has developed leading ADC technology comprised of highly potent drugs and stable linkers for attaching the drugs to monoclonal antibodies. The company currently has license agreements for its ADC technology with Genentech, Celltech Group and Protein Design Labs. More information about Seattle Genetics can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.
Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. |
