CHICAGO, June 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MACK) today announced that Phase 1 clinical data from studies of MM-151, MM-141, MM-111 and MM-121 was presented at the 2014 American Society of Cancer Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Data from these studies support the clinical advancement of Merrimack's novel antibody therapeutics.
"We are excited to announce Phase 1 results for MM-151 and MM-141 - two antibody therapeutics engineered with insights from our systems biology approach. This progress continues to support our goal of transforming cancer care by developing therapeutics that target key pathways responsible for tumor growth and survival. We look forward to initiating biomarker-directed Phase 2 studies with MM-151 and MM-141," said Ulrik Nielsen, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Merrimack.
To access clinical posters presented at ASCO 2014, click here.
Methodology and Results:
Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Trial of MM-151 in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors
MM-151 is a novel oligoclonal anti-EGFR antibody combination designed to target EGFR-driven tumor growth. Preliminary data from a Phase 1 study in patients with refractory solid tumors show that MM-151 has an acceptable safety profile and preliminary signs of clinical activity in colorectal cancer.
Results from the Completed Monotherapy Arm of a Phase 1 Study of MM-141 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
A Phase 1 dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors tested the tolerability and safety of MM-141, a novel tetravalent bispecific antibody inhibitor which targets both IGF-1R and ErbB3. MM-141 blocks and degrades complexes containing IGF-1R and ErbB3 receptors, leading to the downstream inhibition of tumor pro-survival signaling. Preclinical studies have shown that MM-141 has higher activity compared to a mixture of separate anti-IGF-1R and ErbB3 antibodies.
Results from a Phase 1, multi-arm study of MM-111 in combination with standard of care regimens in multiple tumor types
MM-111 is a bispecific antibody designed to inhibit HER3 (ErbB3) signaling in HER2-positive tumors. Preclinical research has shown that MM-111 restores sensitivity to chemotherapy and HER2-targeted treatment. MM-111 was tested in a Phase 1 study in combination with a variety of standard of care HER2-targeted regimens, namely: 1) capecitabine, cisplatin and trastuzumab; 2) lapatinib with or without trastuzumab; 3) paclitaxel and trastuzumab; 4) lapatinib, paclitaxel and trastuzumab; and 5) docetaxel and trastuzumab. The study enrolled patients with multiple HER2 positive tumor types, including breast, bladder, colorectal, gastric, esophageal and ovarian cancers. Each arm in the study was designed to run as a separate Phase 1 trial to address safety and tolerability of MM-111, and utilized a "3+3" design with standard dosing of the standard of care regimen.
Results from a Phase 1 Study of MM-121 in Combination with Cetuximab and Irinotecan in Patients with Advanced Cancers
This Phase 1 trial assessed the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic properties of MM-121 in combination with cetuximab or with cetuximab and irinotecan in patients with advanced solid cancers. MM-121 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets ErbB3, a cell surface receptor that is activated by the ligand heregulin.
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 seeks to gain a deeper understanding of underlying cancer biology through its systems biology-based approach and develop new insights, therapeutics and diagnostics to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Merrimack currently has six oncology therapeutics in clinical development and three additional candidates in late stage preclinical development. For more information, please visit Merrimack's website at www.merrimackpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements include any statements about Merrimack's strategy, future operations, future financial position and future expectations and plans and prospects for Merrimack, and any other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," "hope" and similar expressions. In this press release, Merrimack's forward-looking statements include statements about the potential effectiveness and tolerability of its investigational therapeutics in certain patient populations or subpopulations, its ability to develop a predictive diagnostic, the initiation of future clinical studies, and its ability to translate clinical data into future clinical success. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause Merrimack's clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, availability of data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, development progress of Merrimack's companion diagnostics and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Merrimack's drug candidates or companion diagnostics. Merrimack undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Merrimack's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to Merrimack's business in general, see the "Risk Factors" section of Merrimack's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 6, 2014 and other reports Merrimack files with the SEC.