Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN) today announced that data from two of its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs, ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) and ASG-5ME, will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2012 Annual Meeting being held June 1-5, 2012 in Chicago, IL. A summary of the company's poster presentations is below and full abstracts can be accessed on the ASCO website at www.abstract.asco.org.

ADCETRIS

Retreatment with brentuximab vedotin in CD30-positive hematologic malignancies: a phase II study

  • Saturday, June 2; 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Central Time (CT), with discussion from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
  • Abstract # 8027
  • Poster display in room E450b and discussion in room E354a
  • First author: Dr. Nancy L. Bartlett, Washington University, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO

CD30 expression in non-lymphomatous malignancies

  • Monday, June 4; 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT
  • Abstract #3069
  • Poster presentation in S Hall A2; poster board #16C
  • First author: Dr. Jeff P. Sharman, Willamette Valley Center Institute and Research Center, Eugene, OR

Brentuximab vedotin for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma: preliminary results from a phase II study

  • Monday, June 4; 1:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. CT
  • Abstract #8070
  • Poster presentation in S Hall A2; poster board #35C
  • First author: Dr. Ranjana Advani, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA

ASG-5ME

Phase 1 trial of ASG-5ME in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)

  • Monday, June 4; 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT, with discussion from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT
  • Abstract #4568
  • Poster display in room E450a and discussion in room E Arie Crown Theater
  • First author: Dr. Michael J. Morris, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics' proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

Seattle Genetics and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company are jointly developing ADCETRIS.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and the Takeda Group has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and the Takeda Group are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where the Takeda Group is solely responsible for development costs.

About ASG-5ME

ASG-5ME is an ADC targeting the SLC44A4 antigen and is being co-developed by Seattle Genetics and Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., for the treatment of solid tumors. ASG-5ME is an ADC composed of a fully human antibody directed to SLC44A4, a solute carrier antigen family member identified by Agensys to be overexpressed in epithelial cancers, including more than 80 percent of samples derived from patients with prostate, pancreatic and gastric cancers. The antibody is attached to MMAE via an enzyme-cleavable linker using Seattle Genetics' proprietary technology. The ADC is designed to be stable in the bloodstream, but to release MMAE upon internalization into SLC44A4-expressing tumor cells, resulting in targeted cell-killing.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval of ADCETRIS in August 2011 for two indications. ADCETRIS is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other clinical-stage ADC programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME and ASG-22ME. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys, an affiliate of Astellas, and Genmab. More information can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.

Seattle Genetics, Inc.
Peggy Pinkston, 425-527-4160
ppinkston@seagen.com