Seattle Genetics, Inc. today presented data on SGN-70 demonstrating its potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) annual meeting being held in San Diego, California

BOTHELL, WA and SAN DIEGO, CA, USA | April 9, 2008 | Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN – News) today presented data on SGN-70, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD70, demonstrating its potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) annual meeting being held in San Diego, California. In addition, Seattle Genetics’ anti-CD70 therapies were featured during the conference in an AAI Major Symposium entitled “TNF Family Members in Inflammation, Autoimmunity and Cancer.”
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“We believe that autoimmune disease represents a significant opportunity for SGN-70 due to the expression of CD70 on activated, but not on resting T- and B-cells,” said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Seattle Genetics. “Our AAI presentations demonstrate compelling data in preclinical models of autoimmune disease, and support our plan to initiate clinical trials of SGN-70 during 2008.”

Data presented today in a poster presentation entitled “Immune Modulation Mediated by the Humanized Anti-CD70 Monoclonal Antibody SGN-70” describe the expression of CD70 on activated T- and B-cells and in autoimmune disease tissues, and demonstrate that SGN-70 inhibits T- and B-cell functions and selectively depletes CD70-positive activated T-cells (Abstract #LB457).

In addition, Dr. Iqbal Grewal, Vice President, Preclinical Therapeutics at Seattle Genetics, presented on Monday at an AAI Major Symposium on the company’s anti-CD70 therapies, SGN-70 and SGN-75, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. SGN-75 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that has demonstrated potent antitumor activity at well-tolerated doses in preclinical models of renal cell cancer and CD70-positive hematologic malignancies. Seattle Genetics is advancing SGN-75 towards clinical trials in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

Seattle Genetics’ SGN-70 poster is available from the “Technology” section of the company’s website at www.seattlegenetics.com.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. The company has a worldwide collaboration with Genentech to develop and commercialize SGN-40. Seattle Genetics also has two other product candidates in ongoing clinical trials: SGN-33 and SGN-35. In addition, the company has developed proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology comprised of highly potent synthetic drugs and stable linkers for attaching the drugs to monoclonal antibodies. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Genentech, Bayer, CuraGen, Progenics and MedImmune, as well as an ADC co-development agreement with Agensys.

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking, such as those, among others, relating to the therapeutic potential of Seattle Genetics’ product candidates and ADC technology. 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 risks related to adverse clinical results as our product candidates move into and advance in clinical trials, risks inherent in early stage development and failure by Seattle Genetics’ collaborators to advance product candidates incorporating its technology. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained in Seattle Genetics’ filings 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.

 

SOURCE: SEATTLE GENETICS