MedImmune Focused on Revolutionizing Cancer Care

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, MedImmune announced that researchers will present data from its oncology portfolio, including new clinical data, at two upcoming medical congresses in Europe and the United States.

"At MedImmune, we are thinking about cancer and treatment in new ways, using insights and understanding of the disease to discover breakthrough biologic therapies that can be used to treat specific cancers for the individual patient," said Jerry McMahon, Senior Vice President and Oncology Innovative Medicines Unit Leader.  "We are excited about the progress of the oncology portfolio and are looking forward to its advancement of multiple oncology products into expanded clinical studies in the near future."  

With innovative antibody and biologic technologies, the MedImmune Oncology pipeline is focusing on developing new therapies to eliminate cancer cells in more effective and targeted ways.  This research is addressing the key areas critical to the development and progression of cancer: immune-mediated killing, vascular modulation, growth factor, and survival signaling.  

"The identification of novel cancer drug targets and associated biologic markers has not only altered the way we view cancer, but is truly revolutionizing our standard of care," said Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President Research and Development at MedImmune.  "It is this research, with products like moxetumomab pasudotox (CAT-8015), that will help develop more effective solutions to targeting malignant tumor cells and providing a more personalized approach to medicine."

New data presentations

Four MedImmune-sponsored posters are being presented at the 22nd EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" starting on Tuesday, November 16 in Berlin.  EORTC-NCI-AACR is a joint meeting of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the National Cancer Institute and the American Association for Cancer Research.  These abstracts include:

• Glioblastoma multiforme is characterized by high incidence of PDGFR-alpha expression and susceptibility to the PDGFR-alpha-specific antibody MEDI-575 in mouse tumor models – presented by Dr. Philipp Steiner, on Wednesday, November 17

• Inhibition of PDGFR-alpha in tumor stroma with MEDI-575 enhances activity of carboplatin/  paclitaxel and delays tumor regrowth in a NSCLC xenograft model – presented by Dr. Philipp Steiner, on Wednesday, November 17

• Phase I study of MEDI-575, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting PDGFR-alpha in subjects with advanced solid tumors – presented by Dr. Robert Lechleider, on Thursday, November 18

• MEDI-573, a dual IGF-1/-2 neutralizing antibody, blocks IGF-1R and IR-A signaling and maintains glucose homeostasis in a phase 1 study for advanced solid tumors –presented by Dr. Michael Menefee, on Thursday, November 18

Then in December, two MedImmune-sponsored posters are being presented at the 52nd ASH (American Society of Hematology) starting on Saturday, December 4 in Orlando, including:

• A phase I study of moxetumomab pasudotox (CAT-8015), an anti-CD22 recombinant immunotoxin, in relapsed/ refractory hairy cell leukemia (HCL): updated results – presented by Dr. Robert Kreitman, on Sunday, December 5

• Complete remissions in 3 of 12 patients with chemotherapy-refractory pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during phase I testing of the anti-CD22 immunotoxin moxetumomab pasudotox (CAT-8015)– presented by Dr. Alan Wayne, on Monday, December 6

About MedImmune

MedImmune, the worldwide biologics business for AstraZeneca PLC (LSE: AZN.L, NYSE: AZN), has approximately 3,500 employees worldwide and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. With an advancing pipeline of promising drug candidates, MedImmune strives to deliver life-changing products, a rewarding career to our employees and a tireless commitment to improving patient health. For more information, visit MedImmune's website at www.medimmune.com.

SOURCE MedImmune