a release from MEDI..... mentions holy grail, but I have mixed emotions as there have not been any new publications that I can find looking at 507 and the specific induction of tolerance. The emphasis is mine, and..... if MEDI can provide evidence to back the emphasis, then we'll all do well.......
Wednesday May 19, 11:52 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: MedImmune, Inc.
MedImmune and BioTransplant Announce Clinical
Results at American Society of Transplantation
Meeting
Companies Announce Results of BTI-322 Study; MedImmune Announces Results of CytoGam(R)
Study
GAITHERSBURG, Md,. and CHARLESTOWN, Mass., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- MedImmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDI -
news) and BioTransplant Incorporated (Nasdaq: BTRN - news) today announced preliminary results of a Phase 1/2 clinical
trial in which BTI-322 monoclonal antibody, given in combination with Prograf® (tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor; Fujisawa)
after liver transplantation, significantly lowered the incidence of histological organ rejection compared to Prograf® alone. The
data from the study were presented at the American Society of Transplantation (AST) 18th Annual Scientific Meeting in
Chicago. MedImmune also reported the results of another study, also presented at AST, which showed that CytoGam®
(Cytomegalovirus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human); CMV-IGIV), given after renal transplantation in patients at high risk
of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, significantly lowered the incidence of several markers of CMV infection and organ
rejection compared to standard intravenous immune globulin (IGIV).
The first study, by Jan P. Lerut, M.D., et al., ''The Use Of Tacrolimus (TAC) And Anti-CD2 Antibody Lo-CD2a (BTI-322)
In Adult Liver Transplantation (LT): Preliminary Results Of A Prospective Randomized Study,'' included 31 liver transplant
recipients who received combination immunosuppression using Prograf® and low dose steroids with or without a 10 day IV
course of BTI- 322. The results indicated that the combined use of BTI-322 with Prograf® lowered the incidence of
histological rejection in the immediate post- operative period by 70% compared to Prograf® alone (24 percent vs. 79 percent;
p=0.009) without increasing the rates of bacterial or viral infection.
''A monoclonal antibody with the properties of BTI-322 after liver transplant could allow for easier post-operative care and
management of these very ill patients who are vulnerable to toxicity associated with calcineurin inhibitors,'' commented Dr.
Lerut, Professor of Surgery at Cliniques Saint Luc, University of Louvain, Brussels.
''These data provide for an important product opportunity; the available data suggest the ability to specifically inhibit the T cell
response against transplant antigens and subsequently prevent organ rejection,'' added Elliot Lebowitz, Ph.D., President and
Chief Executive Officer of BioTransplant. ''Both BioTransplant and MedImmune anticipate that the same activity will be
demonstrated by MEDI-507, BTI-322's humanized sister molecule, now being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of acute
graft-versus-host disease and autoimmune disease. Additionally, both BTI-322 and MEDI-507 may play a key role in
BioTransplant's ImmunoCognance(TM) systems, including AlloMune(TM) for human-to-human transplants and
XenoMune(TM) for porcine-to-human transplants.''
The second study, ''Efficacy Of CMV-IGIV Versus Standard IGIV In Reducing Post-Transplant CMV Infection,'' by Hamid
Shidban, M.D., et al., reviewed hospital records of renal transplant patients at high risk of primary CMV infection (CMV
seronegative patients who received CMV seropositive organs) to compare CytoGam® (n=48) to standard IGIV (n=46) in
reduction of markers associated with organ rejection and post-transplant CMV infection. Compared to the standard IGIV
group, the group that received CytoGam® had a significantly lower incidence of CMV infection (p=0.004), rejection rate at
one year (p=0.04), graft loss (p=0.0002) and mortality at one year (p=0.03). Dr. Shidban is the Assistant Professor of
Urology and Medicine at the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
''We are pleased to see that CytoGam® reduces the risks faced by renal transplant patients,'' said Robert Hirsch, Ph.D., Vice
President of Medical Affairs at MedImmune. ''The results confirm CytoGam's ability to prevent CMV infection. CytoGam® is
indicated for prophylaxis against CMV disease associated with transplantation of kidney, lung, liver, pancreas, and heart.''
Please see full prescribing information for CytoGam® attached or at www.medimmune.com/products/cytopil.htm.
BTI-322/MEDI-507
MEDI-507 is the humanized form of the murine monoclonal antibody, BTI-322. In pilot clinical trials in over 100 patients in the
United States and Europe, BTI-322 has suggested potential clinical benefit in the studied populations and has been generally
well-tolerated. In a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating BTI-322 for treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in bone
marrow transplant (BMT) patients unresponsive to steroid therapy, the compound was well tolerated and 55 percent of the
patients responded positively to treatment, with either a complete response or a reduction in grade of GvHD. A Phase 1/2 trial
has been completed for the prevention of acute renal transplant rejection in which BTI-322 was given at the time of organ
transplantation. Results of the trial suggested a 58 percent reduction at two years post-transplant in the incidence of kidney graft
rejection episodes compared to conventional triple drug therapy alone. A trial evaluating MEDI-507 for treatment of GvHD in
steroid-resistant BMT patients has been completed and results are expected to be presented at the International Society for
Hematology in Monaco in July. Two additional Phase 1/2 clinical trials have been developed to evaluate MEDI-507 as
treatment for acute GvHD in steroid-naive adult and pediatric patients.
Both MEDI-507 and BTI-322 bind specifically to the CD2 receptor found on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Previous in
vitro studies have suggested that MEDI-507 has the ability to inhibit selectively the response of T cells directed at transplant
antigens, while subsequently allowing immune cells to respond normally to other antigens. BTI-322 was initially discovered by
Drs. Herve Bazin and Dominique Latinne at the Experimental Immunology Unit of the Catholic University of Louvain in
Belgium.
CytoGam®
CytoGam® is indicated for prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease associated with transplantation of kidney, lung,
liver, pancreas, and heart. In transplants of these organs, other than kidney from CMV seropositive donors into CMV
seronegative recipients, CytoGam® should be considered in combination with gancyclovir. CytoGam® is an intravenous
immune globulin enriched in antibodies against CMV. CytoGam® is made from human plasma and, like other plasma products,
carries the possibility for transmission of blood-borne viral agents. The risk of transmission of recognized blood-borne viruses is
considered to be low because of the viral inactivation and removal procedures employed in the manufacture of CytoGam®.
Minor reactions such as flushing, chills, muscle cramps, back pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, and wheezing were the
most frequent adverse reactions observed during the clinical trials of CytoGam®. CytoGam® is marketed by MedImmune and
manufactured by Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories.
BioTransplant Incorporated utilizes its proprietary technologies in re- educating the body's immune responses to allow tolerance
of foreign cells, tissues and organs. Based on this technology, the Company is developing a portfolio of products designed to
treat a range of medical conditions, including organ and tissue transplantation, cancer and autoimmune disease, for which
current therapies are inadequate. BioTransplant's products are intended to induce long-term functional transplantation tolerance
in humans, increase the therapeutic benefit of bone marrow transplants, and reduce or eliminate the need for lifelong
immunosuppressive therapy. MedImmune is developing MEDI-507 under license from BioTransplant, and BioTransplant has
retained the right to use BTI-322 and/or MEDI-507 in its proprietary ImmunoCognance(TM) systems, which are designed to
re-educate the immune system to accept foreign tissue: the AlloMune(TM) System for human-to-human transplantation, and the
XenoMune(TM) System for porcine-to-human transplantation.
MedImmune, a biotechnology company located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is focused on developing and marketing products
that address medical needs in areas such as infectious disease, transplantation medicine, autoimmune disorders and cancer. The
Company currently markets Synagis(TM) (palivizumab), RespiGam® (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin
Intravenous (Human)), and CytoGam® (Cytomegalovirus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)) through its hospital-based
sales force and has five new product candidates in clinical trials. In October 1995, MedImmune and BioTransplant established
a strategic alliance for development of BTI-322 and any future generation products, such as MEDI-507, for use in organ
transplantation and other indications.
This announcement may contain, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions. Actual results could
differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including risks and uncertainties discussed in
both companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: MedImmune, Inc. |
