ImmunoGen, a biotechnology company that develops anticancer therapeutics using Targeted Antibody Payload (TAP) technology, has begun a phase I trial of its IMGN529 anticancer compound.

The phase I trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and anticancer activity of escalating doses of IMGN529 in 55 patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory, CD37-expressing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) to establish the dose for future clinical trials. NHL is typically treated with the anticancer antibody, rituximab and chemotherapy. IMGN529, a TAP compound, contains a B-cell-targeting antibody that has demonstrated marked anticancer activity in preclinical testing. Attached to this antibody is a potent ImmunoGen cell-killing agent, DM1. The antibody serves to kill the cancer cells through multiple antibody-mediated mechanisms and also deliver the DM1 specifically to the cancer cells for additional, targeted anticancer potency.

"The phase I trial now underway, together with our market research, is expected to provide the information needed to define a clear development path for IMGN529 in NHL," said James O'Leary, MD, vice president and CMO. "With its unique profile, we believe IMGN529 has the potential to be an important new therapy for the treatment of key B-cell malignancies."

Patients with follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, or marginal zone lymphoma—the more common types of NHL—are still eligible for enrollment.