IDM and Cambridge Laboratories Sign an Exclusive Marketing Agreement for Junovan(TM) (Mepact) in the United Kingdom and Ireland
June 21 2005 - 2:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
IDM and Cambridge Laboratories Sign an Exclusive Marketing
Agreement for Junovan(TM) (Mepact) in the United Kingdom and
Ireland PARIS, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IDM
(Immuno-Designed Molecules), a privately held biopharmaceutical
company, the shareholders of which recently entered into an
agreement to combine with Epimmune Inc. (NASDAQ: EPMN), today
announced that it has signed an exclusive marketing agreement for
Junovan (Mepact or L-MTP-PE) in the United Kingdom and Ireland with
Cambridge Laboratories Ltd, a privately owned British
pharmaceutical company. Junovan, known as Mepact throughout
clinical development, is the brand name the product will be
marketed under worldwide, upon obtaining necessary regulatory
approvals. In exchange, IDM will receive an upfront license fee and
milestone payments throughout the development of the product prior
to launch, as well as royalties calculated on product sales.
Junovan is an immune system stimulator designed to destroy cancer
cells by activating macrophages present in the patient. Results
from a phase III, randomized clinical trial demonstrated that in
664 patients suffering from non-metastatic osteosarcoma that was
amenable to resection, Junovan, given with chemotherapy compared to
chemotherapy alone, significantly extended survival without relapse
as well as overall survival. Severe adverse events were those
typically associated with high dose chemotherapy and surgery.
Adverse events associated with Junovan are related to its biologic
activity and generally include mild to moderate fever, chills,
rigors, fatigue, nausea and increases in serum proteins associated
with macrophage activation. The clinical trial was conducted in the
United States by the Children's Oncology Group, in children with
newly diagnosed high grade osteosarcoma, and the results were
presented at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
(ASPHO) Annual Meeting in May 2005. Junovan was granted orphan drug
status for the treatment of osteosarcoma in the U.S. in 2001 and in
Europe in 2004. Junovan is currently limited to clinical
investigational use only; its safety and efficacy have not been
reviewed or approved for commercial distribution by any regulatory
agency. IDM plans to file a marketing application with regulatory
authorities in the U.S. and Europe in the first half of 2006. Jean
Loup Romet-Lemonne, Chairman and Chief Executive of IDM said,
"Cambridge is an excellent partner for IDM, given their focus on
the development and commercialization of innovative medicines. They
have a dynamic sales and marketing team that we are confident will
maximize the potential for Junovan in the UK and Ireland." Mark
Evans, Chief Executive of Cambridge laboratories commented,
"Junovan is a significant addition to our exciting pipeline of new
medicines and we are delighted to have made this deal with IDM. The
clinical results are very encouraging, in light of the fact that no
new agent has been available in the treatment of osteosarcoma over
the last 20 years." Osteosarcoma is the most common form of
pediatric bone tumor. Approximately 900 new cases are diagnosed
each year in the United States, with a similar number in Europe.
For further information please contact Press contact IDM : Euro
RSCG C&0 : Nadine Sciacca, Directeur Marie-Carole de
Groc/Florence Communication Macaire Tel.: +33-(0)-1-40-09-04-11
+33-(0)1-58-47-95-07/+33-(0)1-58 E-mail: 47-95-18 Press contact
Cambridge : FourGritti Healthcare : Mark Evans, Chief Executive
Joanna Marchant/ Martin Sutton Office Tel: Tel: +44-191-296-9370
+44-7747-610310 or +44-7884-495293 About IDM To date, approximately
98% of IDM's shareholders have entered into a definitive agreement
to combine IDM with Nasdaq publicly traded Epimmune Inc. in an
all-stock transaction expected to close in the third quarter of
2005. Epimmune has filed a proxy statement with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the
transaction, which is subject to approval by the Epimmune
stockholders and certain other closing conditions. IDM is a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative
products to treat and control cancer while maintaining the
patient's quality of life. IDM is currently developing two lines of
products: one aiming at the destruction of residual cancer cells
after the use of traditional therapies, and the other to prevent
tumor recurrence by triggering an immune response. IDM's most
advanced product has completed a Phase III clinical trial, five
other products are in clinical trials and five are in preclinical
development. For more information, visit
http://www.idm-biotech.com/. About Cambridge Laboratories Ltd
Cambridge Laboratories is a successful, privately owned
pharmaceutical company which focuses on the development and
commercialisation of innovative medicines, with particular emphasis
on the central nervous system, oncology and specialist therapy
areas. Through effective in-licensing and acquisition it has
established a strong portfolio of products as well as an exciting
pipeline of new medicines. The Company has a dynamic sales and
marketing organisation, which operates via a unique international
network of distribution partnerships helping patients throughout
the world Where You Can Find Additional Information About IDM's
Proposed Combination with Epimmune Epimmune Inc. has filed a
preliminary proxy statement concerning its proposed combination
with IDM with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Investors and security holders are advised to read the proxy
statement related to the proposed transaction because it contains
important information related to the transaction. Investors and
security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and
other documents filed by Epimmune with the SEC at the SEC's website
at http://www.sec.gov/. The proxy statement and any other documents
filed by Epimmune with the SEC may also be obtained free of charge
from Epimmune by directing such request to Epimmune's Secretary at
the following address: 5820 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego,
California 92121. Information Concerning Participation in
Epimmune's Proxy Solicitation IDM and Epimmune and their respective
executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Epimmune
with respect to the proposed transaction between Epimmune and IDM.
Information regarding Epimmune's executive officers and directors
is included in Epimmune's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
SEC for the year ended December 31, 2004. This document is
available free of charge at the SEC's website at
http://www.sec.gov/ and from Epimmune at http://www.epimmune.com/.
Investors and security holders may obtain additional information
about the interests of the respective executive officers and
directors of Epimmune and IDM in the proposed transaction between
Epimmune and IDM by reviewing the proxy statement related to the
transaction filed with the SEC. DATASOURCE: IDM (Immuno-Designed
Molecules) CONTACT: For further information please contact Press
contact IDM : Nadine Sciacca, Directeur Communication, Tel.:
+33-(0)-1-40-09-04-11, E-mail: ; Press contact Cambridge: Mark
Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Tel: +44-191-296-9370; Euro RSCG
C&0 : Marie-Carole de Groc/Florence Macaire,
+33-(0)1-58-47-95-07/+33-(0)1-58-47-95-18, , ; FourGritti
Healthcare: Joanna Marchant/ Martin Sutton, Tel: +44-77-47-610310
or +44-7884-495293
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