CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MACK) today announced that it will present research on three of its therapeutic candidates at the 2014 EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, November 18-21, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. Data will be shared in four poster sessions. Presentations will include results from a clinical study using ferumoxytol as a magnetic resonance imaging agent and its ability to predict tumor response to MM-398, preclinical and clinical research on MM-151 and an initial preclinical study of MM-131, a novel bispecific antibody targeting the c-Met tumor signaling pathway.
Merrimack will present data on the following programs at EORTC-NCI-AACR 2014:
MM-398: a nanoliposomal encapsulation of irinotecan
- A poster exploring the clinical feasibility of ferumoxytol-contrast-enhanced MRI to predict treatment response to MM-398 in solid tumors will be presented.
General Poster Session
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Session Title: Drug Delivery
Lesion characterization with ferumoxytol MRI in patients with advanced solid tumors and correlation with treatment response to MM-398, nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) (Abstract #261)
Thursday, November 20, 2014, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CET
MM-151: a novel oligoclonal anti-EGFR antibody combination designed to target EGFR-driven tumor growth
- Updated safety data from the MM-151 monotherapy arm in an ongoing Phase 1 study will be presented, as well as preclinical research on the characterization of MM-151 to determine mechanisms of action within the EGFR network.
General Poster Session
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Session Title: Molecular Targeted Agents I
A first-in-human study evaluating the safety and pharmacology of MM-151, a novel oligoclonal anti-EGFR antibody combination, in patients with refractory solid tumors (Abstract #329)
Thursday, November 20, 2014, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CET
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Session Title: Preclinical Models
Preclinical characterization of MM-151, an oligoclonal antibody therapeutic that targets EGFR by three distinct mechanisms of action (Abstract #152)
Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CET
MM-131: a bispecific antibody designed to inhibit c-Met signaling through co-targeting the EpCAM tumor antigen
- MM-131 is a bispecific antibody designed to block hepatocyte growth factor receptor, HGF-R (c-Met), signaling. The c-Met signaling pathway is involved in cancer cell growth, survival, and metastatic spread of disease. MM-131 concurrently binds to c-Met and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), a highly expressed protein on the cell surface in certain cancer types. MM-131 is designed to selectively bind to and inhibit the c-Met receptor without activating the c-Met signaling pathway.
- Preclinical studies to assess the activity of MM-131 in models of c-Met-driven cancers and computational models guiding the design of the molecule will be presented.
General Poster Session
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Session Title: Molecular Targeted Agents II
MM-131: A bispecific antibody that inhibits c-Met signaling through avid binding to the EpCAM tumor antigen (Abstract #438)
Friday, November 21, 2014, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM CET
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. Merrimack's lead product candidate, MM-398, recently completed a Phase 3 trial in post-gemcitabine pancreatic cancer. Based on the results of this trial, Merrimack is currently preparing a New Drug Application for MM-398. For more information, please visit Merrimack's website at www.merrimackpharma.com or connect with us on Twitter at @MerrimackPharma.
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.