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| |  ASCO: Epratuzumab Promising Against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma NEW ORLEANS, LA -- May 23, 2000 -- Immunomedics, Inc. reported that its clinical study group at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, presented an analysis of their ongoing Phase II trial results at the annual meeting of ASCO. The investigators reported that over 70 patients have been enrolled, with 44 currently assessable for safety and response to epratuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CD22 receptor on mature and malignant B-lymphocytes, including NHL. "At the optimal weekly infusion of 360-480 mg per square meter, repeated four times, 60 percent of patients with low-grade, follicular NHL had an objective response, half of whom were complete responses," commented Dr. John Leonard, principal investigator of the study and Clinical Director of the Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma at New York Presbyterian Hospital. "In addition, two aggressive NHL patients have also had ongoing complete responses, one lasting over a year and a half in a patient who was refractory to rituximab (Rituxan®, IDEC/Genentech). We have been particularly pleased that the infusion-related side effects have been generally minimal and manageable to date, even with infusion times as short as 30-60 minutes," he added. "These updated results of our trials with epratuzumab increase our confidence that this potential therapeutic for NHL may complement the use of other treatments for NHL, particularly since it has been found, so far, to be safe and well tolerated, and has a very convenient infusion schedule," commented Dr. David M. Goldenberg, Chairman and CEO of the Company. "We plan to soon announce our Phase III study plans," he added. "In addition to epratuzumab as a naked antibody, we are progressing in clinical trials with the radiolabeled version, 90Y-LymphoCide™, as well as with our solid tumor therapeutic, CEA-Cide™," Dr. Goldenberg also commented. Immunomedics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic products for the detection and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Integral to these products are highly specific monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments designed to deliver radioisotopes and chemotherapeutic agents to tumors and sites of infection. The Company's first product, CEA-Scan® for the detection of colorectal cancer, is being marketed in the United States and Europe (approved in Canada). The Company's second diagnostic imaging product, LeukoScan®, is being marketed in Europe for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis (bone infection). Immunomedics also has several other diagnostic imaging products and three therapeutic products in clinical trials. The most advanced therapeutic products are LymphoCide™ (epratuzumab), which is completing Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and CEA-Cide™, which is in Phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, and medullary thyroid cancers. Related Link: Immunomedics, Inc.
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