CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MACK) today announced that it will present at the 2014 AACR Annual Meeting. The conference will take place on April 5-9, 2014 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. Presentations will include a clinical pilot study evaluating the feasibility of using ferumoxytol* as an MRI imaging agent prior to MM-398 investigational treatment. Additional preclinical presentations describe the relationship between ferumoxytol and MM-398 tumor uptake and activity, as well as exploring the mechanistic basis of MM-398 activity across multiple tumor models. Data will be presented in four poster sessions.
Poster Sessions
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Session Title: Clinical Trials
Pilot study in patients with advanced solid tumors to evaluate feasibility of ferumoxytol (FMX) as tumor imaging agent prior to MM-398, a nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI)
Monday, April 7, 2014 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hall A-E, Poster Section 38
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Session Title: Tumor Biology 24
Magnetic resonance imaging with an iron oxide nanoparticle demonstrates the preclinical feasibility of predicting intratumoral uptake and activity of MM-398, a nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI)
Monday, April 7, 2014 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Hall A-E, Poster Section 7
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Session Title: Tumor Biology 38
Activity of MM-398, nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI), in Ewings family tumor xenografts is associated with high exposure of tumor to drug and high SLFN11 expression
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Hall A-E, Poster Section 5
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Session Title: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 37
Evaluating the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic effects of MM-398, a nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI), in subcutaneous xenograft tumor models of human squamous cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancers
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Hall A-E, Poster Section 35
About MM-398
MM-398 is a nanoliposomal formulation of irinotecan. MM-398 is being evaluated in several clinical trials including a Phase 3 study in metastatic pancreatic cancer, a Phase 2 study in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and a Phase 1 cross indication translational study. MM-398 is not approved for any indication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency. Under a 2011 agreement with PharmaEngine, Inc. (Taipei, Taiwan), Merrimack consolidated the worldwide development and commercialization rights to MM-398, with the exception of commercialization rights in Taiwan which are held by PharmaEngine, Inc.
About Merrimack
Merrimack is a biopharmaceutical company discovering, developing and preparing to commercialize innovative medicines paired with companion diagnostics for the treatment of cancer. Merrimack applies its systems biology-based approach to biomedical research throughout the research and development process. Merrimack currently has six oncology therapeutics in clinical development. For more information, please visit Merrimack's website at www.merrimackpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Merrimack constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Merrimack anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Merrimack may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Merrimack specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
*Ferumoxytol (FMX), also known as Feraheme® (AMAG Pharmaceuticals), is a 30nm iron-oxide, super-paramagnetic nanoparticle, known to be taken up by macrophages and for exhibiting magnetic resonance imaging properties. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved FMX for intravenous use as an iron replacement product for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The use of FMX in the pilot study mentioned above is for clinical investigational studies only.