Seattle Genetics Presents Data Advancing Antibody-Drug Conjugate And Novel Immuno-Oncology Programs At The AACR Annual Meeting

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN), a global biotechnology company, today highlighted multiple data presentations that support the company’s advancing antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and immuno-oncology programs at the upcoming 108^th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held April 1-5, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The presentations describe the ability of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) to activate antitumor immune responses, supporting continued clinical evaluation in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, preclinical data feature two immuno-oncology agents, SEA-CD40 and SGN-2FF, both of which are in phase 1 trials. Seattle Genetics and Unum Therapeutics are presenting preclinical data evaluating combination treatment with Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor (ACTR) engineered autologous T cells and an antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), SEA-BCMA, for multiple myeloma. Further data highlight clinical biomarker analyses for vadastuximab talirine (SGN-CD33A; 33A), an ADC under evaluation in the global phase 3 CASCADE trial for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

“Our expertise in empowered-antibody innovation drives a substantial, advancing pipeline of more than a dozen clinical and preclinical programs, both ADCs and immuno-oncology agents”

“Our expertise in empowered-antibody innovation drives a substantial, advancing pipeline of more than a dozen clinical and preclinical programs, both ADCs and immuno-oncology agents,” said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Research and Development, at Seattle Genetics. “Preclinical data presented at AACR support multiple ongoing clinical studies evaluating combination treatment of ADCETRIS and nivolumab (Opdivo) in relapsed Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and phase 1 trials of two proprietary immuno-oncology agents, SEA-CD40 and SGN-2FF, in solid tumors. Seattle Genetics is transforming into a global, multi-product oncology company through dedication to scientific innovation and the needs of patients.”

Multiple presentations are being featured at AACR that highlight advances with Seattle Genetics’ ADC and empowered antibody pipeline programs. Abstracts can be found at www.aacr.org and include the following:

• Preclinical data evaluating the ability of brentuximab vedotin (ADCETRIS) to induce immunogenic cell death will be presented in a poster presentation on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 (Abstract #5588). These data demonstrate that ADCETRIS-treated tumor cells initiate an antitumor immune response alone and, to a greater extent, in combination with anti-PD-1 agents, and support combination strategies with immuno-oncology regimens, such as the ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trials evaluating ADCETRIS and nivolumab (Opdivo) in relapsed Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Preclinical data supporting the ongoing phase 1 study of SGN-2FF for patients with advanced solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, were highlighted in an oral presentation at the New Drugs on the Horizon symposium on Sunday, April 2, 2017 (Session #DDT02-02). SGN-2FF is an oral, small molecule immuno-oncology agent that has been shown in preclinical models to inhibit fucosylation of proteins and thereby stimulate the immune system to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells.
• SEA-CD40 preclinical data will be presented in a poster on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (Abstract #3647), focusing on mechanism of action through activation of antitumor immune response and potential for combination with checkpoint inhibitors. This innovative immuno-oncology agent being developed by Seattle Genetics targets the protein CD40 using Seattle Genetics’ proprietary sugar-engineered antibody (SEA) technology to produce a non-fucosylated antibody. SEA-CD40 is under evaluation in a phase 1 trial for the treatment of blood cancers and solid tumors.
• An analysis of CD33 target binding by vadastuximab talirine from a phase 1 monotherapy study in AML will be highlighted in a poster presentation on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (Abstract #CT120). Vadastuximab talirine is being broadly evaluated across multiple lines of therapy in patients with myeloid malignancies, including the ongoing global phase 3 CASCADE study in newly diagnosed, older AML patients and phase 1/2 trial in patients with newly diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
• A novel preclinical program evaluating SEA-BCMA antibody in combination with ACTR T cells in multiple myeloma, developed in collaboration with Unum Therapeutics, will be highlighted in a poster presentation on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (Abstract #4605). The ACTR engineered T cell technology enables programming of a patient’s immune system to attack tumor cells when co-administered with tumor-specific therapeutic antibodies. The cell surface protein BCMA is expressed on cells of several cancer types, including multiple myeloma and other B cell malignancies. The preclinical data support clinical evaluation of SEA-BCMA and ACTR T cell combination treatment in multiple myeloma patients.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is an innovative biotechnology company that develops and commercializes novel antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The company’s industry-leading antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology harnesses the targeting ability of antibodies to deliver cell-killing agents directly to cancer cells. ADCETRIS^® (brentuximab vedotin), the company’s lead product, in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is the first in a new class of ADCs and is commercially available globally in 66 countries for relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and relapsed systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). Seattle Genetics is also advancing vadastuximab talirine (SGN-CD33A; 33A), an ADC in a phase 3 trial for acute myeloid leukemia. Headquartered in Bothell, Washington, Seattle Genetics has a robust pipeline of innovative therapies for blood-related cancers and solid tumors designed to address significant unmet medical needs and improve treatment outcomes for patients. The company has collaborations for its proprietary ADC technology with a number of companies including AbbVie, Astellas, Bayer, Celldex, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. More information can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to future development activities including clinical trials and the therapeutic potential of ADCETRIS and our product candidates. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the difficulty and uncertainty of pharmaceutical product development, including the risks that Seattle Genetics may experience delays in its planned clinical trial initiations or otherwise experience failures or setbacks in its preclinical and clinical development programs due to the potential lack of efficacy or risk of adverse events as Seattle Genetics’ product candidates advance in development or other factors. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained under the caption “Risk Factors” included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.