Immunomedics Announces Six Presentations on Epratuzumab in Lupus at Leading Rheumatology Meeting

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Nov. 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immunomedics, Inc., IMMU today announced that partner UCB, S.A., responsible for the development of epratuzumab in non-oncology indications, is sponsoring 6 presentations on investigational studies of epratuzumab in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) Annual Meeting, November 14 – 19, 2014 in Boston, MA.

Epratuzumab is an investigational medicine in Phase 3 development for SLE. It is not approved for the treatment of SLE by any regulatory authority worldwide.

Following is a guide to the investigational studies of epratuzumab being presented:

1. [2834]: Correlation of Laboratory and Clinical Parameters with British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Response in an Open-Label Extension Study of Epratuzumab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Furie, R. A. et al.

• Date/Time: Tuesday November 18; 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
• Session Info: Oral Presentation, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center: 205 B

2. [2873]: Epratuzumab Induces Broad Inhibition of B Cell Receptor Proximal Signaling but Has Opposing Effects on Distal Signaling in B cell Subsets: A Profile of Effects on Functional Immune Signaling by Single Cell Network Profiling
Maloney, A. et al.

• Date/Time: Tuesday November 18; 5:30 pm – 5:45 pm
• Session Info: Oral Presentation, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center: 109 A

3. [1942]: Regulation of the Responses of Human B Cell Subsets to Innate Immune Signals by Epratuzumab, a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Targeting CD22
Giltiay, N. V. et al.

• Date/Time: Tuesday November 18; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Session Info: Poster Session, Exhibit Hall B

4. [1943]: In Vivo Effects of Epratuzumab, a Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Human CD22, on B Cell Function in Human CD22 Knock-In (Huki) Mice
Brandl, C. et al.

• Date/Time: Tuesday November 18; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Session Info: Poster Session, Exhibit Hall B

5. [1944]: Targeting CD22 with Epratuzumab Impacts Cytokine Production by B Cells
Fleischer, V. et al.

• Date/Time: Tuesday November 18; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Session Info: Poster Session, Exhibit Hall B

6. [1945]: Pharmacodynamic Effects of the CD22-Targeted Monoclonal Antibody Epratuzumab on B cells in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Shock, A. et al.

• Date/Time: Tuesday November 18; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Session Info: Poster Session, Exhibit Hall B

About Immunomedics

Immunomedics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders and other serious diseases. Immunomedics' advanced proprietary technologies allow the Company to create humanized antibodies that can be used either alone in unlabeled or "naked" form, or conjugated with radioactive isotopes, chemotherapeutics, cytokines or toxins. Using these technologies, Immunomedics has built a pipeline of nine clinical-stage product candidates. Immunomedics has an ongoing collaboration with UCB, S.A. (UCB), to whom the Company licensed epratuzumab for the treatment of all non-cancer indications worldwide. UCB expects Phase 3 data in systemic lupus erythematosus in the first half of 2015. Immunomedics is exploring epratuzumab in oncology in collaboration with independent cancer study groups. Immunomedics' most advanced candidate to which it retains worldwide rights for all indications is ⁹⁰Y-clivatuzumab tetraxetan. The Company initiated a Phase 3 registration trial in January 2014 in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and expects topline data in mid-2016. Immunomedics' portfolio of wholly owned product candidates also includes antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that are designed to deliver a specific payload of a chemotherapeutic directly to the tumor while reducing overall toxic effects that are usually found with conventional administration of these chemotherapeutic agents. Immunomedics' most advanced ADCs are IMMU-132 and IMMU-130, which are in Phase 2 trials for a number of solid tumors and metastatic colorectal cancer, respectively. Immunomedics also has a number of other product candidates that target solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, as well as other diseases, in various stages of clinical and pre-clinical development. These include bispecific antibodies targeting cancers and infectious diseases as T-cell redirecting immunotherapies, as well as bispecific antibodies for next-generation cancer and autoimmune disease therapies, created using its patented DOCK-AND-LOCK^® protein conjugation technology. The Company believes that its portfolio of intellectual property, which includes approximately 259 active patents in the United States and more than 400 foreign patents, protects its product candidates and technologies. Immunomedics' strength in intellectual property has resulted in a top-8 ranking in the Biotechnology industry by the Patent Board for the 2014 fiscal year. For additional information on the Company, please visit its website at www.immunomedics.com. The information on its website does not, however, form a part of this press release.

This release, in addition to historical information, may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including statements regarding clinical trials (including the funding therefor, outcomes, timing or associated costs), out-licensing arrangements (including the timing and amount of contingent payments), forecasts of future operating results, potential collaborations, and capital raising activities, involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, availability of required financing and other sources of funds on acceptable terms, if at all, new product development (including clinical trials outcome and regulatory requirements/actions), our dependence on UCB for the further development of epratuzumab for non-cancer indications, risks associated with the outcome of pending litigation and competitive risks to marketed products, as well as the risks discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any obligation, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.