Micromet Signs CRADA with National Cancer Institute to Expand Development of Blinatumomab

Micromet (Nasdaq:

) announced today that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Cancer Institute to expand development of the Company's lead product candidate blinatumomab in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and various sub-types of lymphoma. Blinatumomab is the first of a new class of agents called BiTE® antibodies, designed to harness the body's T cells to kill cancer cells. Under the terms of the agreement, the NCI and Micromet will collaborate on a series of clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of blinatumomab in patients with B-cell derived hematologic malignancies. The initial NCI-sponsored studies will explore blinatumomab's utility as a first-line treatment for patients newly diagnosed with ALL, older patients with ALL, and patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Additional studies will be designed based on the agreement of both parties.