Immunogen to get $1 million milestone payment from Sanofi-Aventis

Tumor-activated prodrug (TAP) compound, SAR3419, is a potential new treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other B-cell malignancies comprises Immunogen’s CD19-targeting monoclonal antibody and DM4 cell-killing agent. The first Phase I study is being conducted in the US. A second Phase I study is planned to evaluate a different dosing schedule.

Mitchel Sayare, chairman and CEO of Immunogen, said: “SAR3419 is the third product candidate to enter clinical testing through our collaboration with sanofi-aventis, also in Phase I testing are the TAP compound, AVE9633, and the naked antibody, AVE1642.

“In total, there are now five TAP compounds in clinical testing through our own programs and those of our collaborators, and two of these advanced into Phase II evaluation this summer. We expect another one to three TAP compounds to enter the clinic by the end of our fiscal year in June 2008.”