Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) today highlighted multiple data presentations that support several of the company’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and immuno-oncology programs featured at the upcoming 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held April 16 through 20, 2016 in New Orleans, LA. The presentations describe preclinical data with SGN-LIV1A and SEA-CD40, which are in ongoing clinical trials, and highlight two preclinical programs, a novel ADC for the treatment of multiple myeloma (SGN-CD352A) and a small molecule that enhances T-cell mediated antitumor activity (2-fluorofucose). Additional data highlight the growing body of knowledge regarding the ability of auristatin-based ADCs, including ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin), to initiate immunogenic cell death, supporting evaluation in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

“Our ADC expertise currently empowers a robust pipeline of more than a dozen clinical and preclinical programs,” said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Seattle Genetics. “At AACR, we will be presenting preclinical data that demonstrate encouraging activity with SGN-LIV1A, an ADC in phase 1 clinical development for breast cancer, and the preclinical development of a novel ADC for multiple myeloma, SGN-CD352A, which uses our newest ADC technology. We will also highlight the progress we have made in the important field of immuno-oncology, demonstrating that auristatin-based ADCs may be particularly well suited for combination with checkpoint inhibitors and presenting exciting preclinical data for SEA-CD40 and a small molecule, 2-fluorofucose.”

Multiple presentations are being featured at AACR that highlight advances with Seattle Genetics’ proprietary ADC and empowered antibody pipeline and research programs. Abstracts can be found at www.aacr.org and include the following:

  • Preclinical data from a novel ADC candidate SGN-CD352A for multiple myeloma will be highlighted in a poster presentation on Monday, April 18, 2016 (Abstract #1195). SGN-CD352A utilizes Seattle Genetics’ newest ADC technology and is composed of an anti-CD352 antibody attached to a highly potent cytotoxic DNA-crosslinking agent called a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer via a proprietary site-specific conjugation technology to a monoclonal antibody with engineered cysteines (EC-mAb).
  • SGN-LIV1A will be highlighted in a poster presentation on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 (Abstract #2966) focusing on the potential of combination use with standard of care chemotherapeutic agents, including doxorubicin, paclitaxel (Abraxane), carboplatin and various kinase inhibitors, for the treatment of breast cancer. SGN-LIV1A is in a phase 1 trial for the treatment of LIV-1-expressing metastatic breast cancer.
  • A preclinical analysis will highlight the novel small molecule, 2-fluorofucose (2FF) in a poster presentation on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 (Abstract #4005). 2FF blocks cellular incorporation of a sugar (fucose) and has been shown in preclinical studies to stimulate T-cell receptor signaling leading to enhanced activation of dendritic cells.
  • The path of SEA-CD40 from research to clinical development will be highlighted in a poster presentation on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 (Abstract #4994). SEA-CD40 is in an ongoing phase 1 trial for patients with advanced malignancies. SEA-CD40 is a novel immuno-oncology agent targeted to CD40 utilizing Seattle Genetics’ proprietary sugar-engineered antibody (SEA) technology to produce a non-fucosylated antibody.
  • Preclinical data evaluating brentuximab vedotin (ADCETRIS) immune activity will be presented in a poster presentation on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 (Abstract #4914). The preclinical data being presented demonstrate that brentuximab vedotin treated tumor cells may initiate an antitumor immune response and supports combination strategies with immuno-oncology regimens, such as the ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trials evaluating ADCETRIS and nivolumab (Opdivo) in relapsed Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. Seattle Genetics is leading the field in developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a technology designed to harness the targeting ability of antibodies to deliver cell-killing agents directly to cancer cells. The company’s lead product, ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin), is a CD30-targeted ADC that, in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is commercially available in more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan and members of the European Union. Additionally, ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 70 ongoing clinical trials in CD30-expressing malignancies. Seattle Genetics is also advancing vadastuximab talirine (SGN-CD33A; 33A), an ADC that is expected to advance into a phase 3 trial for acute myeloid leukemia in 2016. Beyond ADCETRIS and 33A, the company is developing a robust pipeline of clinical-stage programs, including denintuzumab mafodotin (SGN-CD19A; 19A), SGN-LIV1A, ASG-15ME, ASG-22ME (enfortumab vedotin), SGN-CD70A, SEA-CD40 and SGN-CD19B. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Agensys (an affiliate of Astellas), Bayer, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. More information can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to future development activities including clinical trials and the therapeutic potential of ADCETRIS and our product candidates. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the difficulty and uncertainty of pharmaceutical product development, including the risks that Seattle Genetics may experience delays in its planned clinical trial initiations or otherwise experience failures or setbacks in its preclinical and clinical development programs and that, due to the potential lack of efficacy or risk of adverse events as Seattle Genetics’ product candidates advance in development or other factors, it is possible that none of Seattle Genetics’ product candidates will ever become commercial products. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained under the caption “Risk Factors” included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.