MedImmune and Micromet Report on Novel Anti-cancer BiTE(R)
Friday July 21, 3:08 am ET
CARLSBAD, GERMANY--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 21, 2006 --
Gaithersburg, MD and Carlsbad, CA - July 21, 2006 - MedImmune, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEDI - News), a leading biotechnology company, and Micromet, Inc. (NASDAQ:MITI - News), a transatlantic biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of antibody-based drugs, present a novel BiTE® molecule (bscEphA2xCD3) targeting the tyrosine kinase receptor EphA2, which is frequently overexpressed on solid tumors. The compound has been generated in the context of the companies' research collaboration for the development of novel therapeutics based on Micromet's BiTE® technology. The data presented earlier this week at the National Cancer Institute's 14th SPORE Investigators' Workshop suggest that bscEphA2xCD3 may provide the opportunity to develop an anti-cancer therapeutic, which may minimize potential side effects for patients.
In in vitro studies, bscEphA2xCD3 was observed to kill tumor cells at low nanogram/ml concentrations, which is considerably below dose levels currently required by classical monoclonal antibody-based therapies. Tumor cell lysis approached 100 percent even at low ratios of effector T cells to target cells. In mice, the BiTE® compound redirected unstimulated human T cells to inhibit transplanted human tumor outgrowth without the apparent need for co-stimulation of T cells. Of note, videomicroscopy showed that bscEphA2xCD3 triggered T cells to attack single tumor cells overexpressing EphA2 but spared normal cells where the tyrosine kinase is sequestered within intercellular boundaries.
BiTE® molecules are part of a novel class of antibody derivatives that may have the potential to selectively direct and activate an individual's own immune system to act against cancer cells. This action is believed to occur as a result of the molecule's stimulation of T cells (a very potent type of white blood cell) to target and destroy cancer cells that over-express a specific antigen.
"These results further support the common and unique characteristics of BiTE® and suggest that BiTE® molecules may make for a novel platform of antibody-based therapeutics," commented Micromet's CSO Patrick Baeuerle. "Moreover, our findings suggest that the form of the EphA2 target, which may be only accessible on tumor cells, may provide the basis for selective tumor cell lysis by an EphA2 specific BiTE®."
"We are encouraged by the results of this first BiTE® molecule that MedImmune researchers together with the Micromet team have developed," said Peter Kiener, MedImmune Senior Vice President, Research . "We believe that new BiTE® molecules can be crafted to target T cell activity towards various tumor-associated antigens on cancer cells."
Under the terms of the companies' collaboration agreement, MedImmune holds the rights to bscEphA2xCD3. Micromet is entitled to receive milestones and royalties in case of successful development and commercialization of the compound and has the option to receive co-promotion rights in Europe.
Under a separate arrangement, Micromet and MedImmune collaborate on the development of MT103/MEDI-538, a BiTE® molecule being developed to treat B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. MT103/MEDI-538 specifically targets the CD19 antigen present on B cells, but not on other types of blood cells or healthy tissues. |
