Medarex Announces Ipilimumab Program Continues to Move Forward
Previously-Stated Guidance Remains Unchanged
PRINCETON, N.J., April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medarex, Inc. (Nasdaq:
MEDX) today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Pfizer
Inc that it was discontinuing its Phase 3 clinical trial of front-line treatment
with Pfizer's single-agent anti-CTLA-4 antibody (tremelimumab) compared to
chemotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma. Dr. Geoffrey M. Nichol, M.B.Ch.B.,
Senior Vice President, Product Development of Medarex, stated:
"While Pfizer's tremelimumab and Medarex's ipilimumab have a similar mechanism
of action and have been considered by some as similar molecules, it is natural to
attempt to draw parallels between the two molecules. However, we feel we need to
make certain clarifications. First, the two antibodies are different molecules, and
results from one antibody program may not be indicative of results from another
program. The molecules are of different IgG antibody subclasses, administered at
different doses and dosing schedules, and with different pharmacokinetic parameters.
Second, while, as previously reported, the results from the Phase 2 study under
special protocol assessment did not meet the primary endpoint, the three studies in
our Phase 2 program were suggestive of ipilimumab's potential for clinical
anti-tumor activity based on the totality of the data and are under discussion with
regulatory agencies.
Third, Medarex's ongoing ipilimumab Phase 3 program (study 024) for front- line
treatment of advanced melanoma is different in design from the Pfizer trial, and at
this time, it is too early to draw any clinical conclusions from the Pfizer
announcement. In addition, a recent review of our ongoing 024 Phase 3 trial by the
Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) indicated that our trial should continue.
Finally, we and our partner, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, continue to move
firmly forward. Our previously-stated guidance remains unchanged and regulatory
discussions are pending."
About the Chemotherapy Combination Registrational Trial
Study 024 is a randomized, blinded registrational Phase 3 study designed to
evaluate the effect of dacarbazine in combination with 10mg/kg ipilimumab or placebo
on progression-free survival and overall survival in 500 patients with previously
untreated metastatic melanoma (front-line). Ipilimumab is administered at 10 mg/kg
once every three weeks for up to four doses. Subsequently, eligible patients who
have not experienced disease progression at week 24 will continue in a maintenance
phase where a single dose of ipilimumab or placebo will be administered once every
12 weeks until disease progression. All efficacy analyses, except for overall
survival and survival rate at one year, will be conducted when at least 416 events
for progression- free survival have been observed in the study and all patients have
been followed for at least 12 weeks.
In June 2006, the 024 registrational Phase 3 trial was reviewed by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) concerning
the suitability of the trial design to support regulatory approval. In December
2006, the FDA granted Fast Track status to this program which provides for expedited
regulatory review for new drugs that demonstrate the potential to address unmet
medical needs for the treatment of serious or life-threatening conditions. Trial
enrollment was completed in the first- quarter of 2008.
About Ipilimumab
Ipilimumab is a fully human antibody that binds to CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T
lymphocyte-associated antigen 4), a molecule on T-cells that plays a critical role
in regulating natural immune responses. The absence or presence of CTLA- 4 can
augment or suppress the immune system's T-cell response in fighting disease.
Ipilimumab is designed to block the activity of CTLA-4, thereby sustaining an active
immune response in its attack on cancer cells.
Comprehensive Clinical Trial Program for Ipilimumab
Ipilimumab is being developed through a joint partnership between Bristol- Myers
Squibb and Medarex. Based on nonclinical and clinical studies showing that antibody
blockade of CTLA-4 plays an important role in sustaining an active immune response
to fight cancer, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Medarex are pursuing a broad clinical
development program with ipilimumab evaluating its potential use in advanced
metastatic melanoma, as well as prostate, lung, pancreatic, bladder, breast,
lymphoma and leukemia cancers. More than 2,000 patients have been treated with
ipilimumab as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents in clinical trials.
For further information about ipilimumab clinical trials, please visit
www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Advanced Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of
pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. As with many cancers, it
is more difficult to treat once the disease has spread beyond the skin to other
parts of the body by way of the bloodstream or the lymphatic system (metastatic
disease). Melanoma accounts for about three percent of skin cancer cases, but it
causes most skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007
there will be 59,940 new cases of melanoma in the U.S., and about 8,110 people will
die of this disease.
About Medarex
Medarex is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and
potential commercialization of fully human antibody-based therapeutics to treat
life-threatening and debilitating diseases, including cancer, inflammation,
autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. Medarex applies its UltiMAb(R)
technology and product development and clinical manufacturing experience to
generate, support and potentially commercialize a broad range of fully human
antibody product candidates for itself and its partners. More than 30 of these
therapeutic product candidates derived from Medarex technology are in human clinical
testing or have had INDs submitted for such trials, with seven of the most advanced
product candidates currently in Phase 3 clinical trials or the subject of regulatory
applications for marketing authorization. Medarex is committed to building value by
developing a diverse pipeline of antibody products to address the world's unmet
healthcare needs. For more information about Medarex, visit its Web site at
www.medarex.com.
Medarex Statement on Cautionary Factors
Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed herein
may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed
by, or that include the words "potential"; "believe"; "plan"; "should"; "may"; or
similar statements are forward-looking statements. Medarex disclaims, however, any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. No forward-looking
statement can be guaranteed. Risks and uncertainties include risks associated with
whether the development of the product described in this press release will be
successful or whether the data from the registrational program described in this
press release will support the filing of a Biological License Application (BLA) with
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA, or if a BLA is filed with the FDA, that
it will be filed in the timeframe described in this press release or will receive
regulatory approval, or whether future clinical trials will result in the same
outcomes as these clinical trials and whether the regulatory authorities will
interpret the data from these clinical trials in the same manner, as well as risks
detailed from time to time in Medarex's public disclosure filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
There can be no assurance that such development efforts will succeed or that other
developed products will receive required regulatory clearance or that, even if such
regulatory clearance were received, such products would ultimately achieve
commercial success. Copies of Medarex's public disclosure filings are available from
its investor relations department.
Medarex(R), the Medarex logo and UltiMAb(R) are registered trademarks of
Medarex, Inc. All rights are reserved.
SOURCE Medarex, Inc.
-0- 04/03/2008
/CONTACT: Laura S. Choi, Investor Relations, +1-609-430-2880, ext. 2216, or
Jean Mantuano, Corporate Communications (media), +1-609-430-2880, ext. 2221, both of
Medarex, Inc./
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