Seattle Genetics Receives Key U.S. Patents for SGN-40 Program
Source: http://www.seattlegenetics.com/
January 19, 2005 09:01 AM US Eastern Timezone
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2005--Seattle Genetics, Inc.
(Nasdaq:SGEN) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued two patents relating to the company's SGN-40 program. Patents 6,838,261 and 6,843,989 claim composition of matter and methods of using anti-CD40 antibodies for the treatment of cancer. Seattle Genetics is currently conducting phase I clinical trials of SGN-40, an anti-CD40 antibody, in multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The company plans to initiate an additional phase I study in chronic lymphocytic leukemia during the first half of 2005.
"These issued patents are the first in a series of applications we have
filed with the USPTO covering our SGN-40 program," stated Eric L. Dobmeier, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel of Seattle Genetics. "We believe SGN-40 has significant therapeutic potential in multiple types of cancer and immunologic diseases, and our expanding intellectual property portfolio further strengthens this program."
SGN-40 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CD40 antigen, which is expressed on most B-cell lineage hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The company plans to report data from its ongoing clinical trials of SGN-40 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in May 2005. Seattle Genetics is also considering potential applications of SGN-40 in other indications such as certain solid tumors and immunologic diseases.