ImmunoGen Gets Genentech Milestone

Genentech’s trastuzumab-DM1 IND submission to the FDA has triggered a $2 million milestone payment to ImmunoGen. Trastuzumab-DM1 comprises ImmunoGen’s cell-killing agent, DM1, linked to Genentech’s therapeutic antibody, trastuzumab, which targets overexpression of the HER2 protein.

“We are delighted to announce this milestone in our collaboration with Genentech,” said Mitchel Sayare, chairman and chief executive officer. “Genentech was the first company to license rights to our TAP technology and has evaluated it extensively. This milestone is an important step towards the initiation of clinical testing with trastuzumab-DM1 – the first TAP compound that uses our technology in conjunction with a therapeutic antibody that has demonstrated significant anticancer activity when administered as a naked antibody.”

HER2 overexpression is associated with approximately 20% of all breast cancers. In 2000, Genentech entered into an agreement with ImmunoGen for an exclusive license to use ImmunoGen’s maytansinoid TAP technology with therapeutic antibodies to HER2, including trastuzumab. This agreement entitles ImmunoGen to receive milestone payments upon certain achievements, and also to receive royalties on the sales of any products that use ImmunoGen’s maytansinoid TAP technology. Genentech is responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization.