CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACK) today announced that it will present preclinical and clinical data on its extensive oncology pipeline at the 2016 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, April 16-20, 2016 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. Of particular focus will be preclinical data on the latest novel therapeutic developed from Merrimack's nanoliposome platform and systems biology approach - MM-310, an ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2)-targeted nanoliposome delivering docetaxel.
EphA2 is a key receptor associated with poor prognosis and is shown to be overexpressed in several solid tumors including prostate, ovarian, gastric and lung cancer. In preclinical models, MM-310 has demonstrated that Merrimack's proprietary delivery platform provides controlled biodistribution and sustained exposure of the drug at the site of the tumor. This design has shown improvement in antitumor activity while avoiding the hematologic toxicities common with docetaxel or the bleeding associated with a traditional antibody drug conjugate (ADC) format in preclinical models.
Merrimack will also present a late-breaking abstract describing in vitro and in vivo targeting effects of MM-302 in HER2 intermediate cancer cells as well as research on ONIVYDE® (irinotecan liposome injection) and other targeted therapies currently in development.
Oral presentation
MM-310: a novel EphA2 targeted nanoliposome for delivery of docetaxel
Poster Sessions
MM-310: a novel EphA2 targeted nanoliposome for delivery of docetaxel
MM-398 (ONIVYDE® (irinotecan liposome injection) or "Nal-IRI"): a novel encapsulation of irinotecan in a liposomal formulation
MM-302: a novel HER2 targeted liposomal doxorubicin
MM-141 (istiratumab): a monoclonal antibody that acts as a tetravalent inhibitor of PI3K/AKT/mTOR
MM-151: an oligoclonal therapeutic consisting of a mixture of 3 fully human monoclonal antibodies designed to bind and inhibit signaling of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
Companion Therapeutics:
Preclinical Research:
About Merrimack
Merrimack is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that views cancer as a complex engineering challenge. Through systems biology, which brings together the fields of biology, computing and engineering, Merrimack aims to decrease uncertainty in drug development and clinical validation, and move discovery efforts beyond trial and error. Such an approach has the potential to make individualized treatment of patients a reality. Merrimack's first commercial product, ONIVYDE® (irinotecan liposome injection), was approved by the U.S. FDA on October 22, 2015. With four additional candidates in clinical studies, several in preclinical development and multiple biomarkers designed to support patient selection, Merrimack is building one of the most robust oncology pipelines in the industry. For more information, please visit Merrimack's website at www.merrimack.com or connect on Twitter at @MerrimackPharma.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Merrimack constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Merrimack anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Merrimack may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Merrimack specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
Contacts:
Media Contact
Marianne McMorrow
774-776-1478
mmcmorrow@merrimack.com
Investor Contact:
Geoffrey Grande, CFA
617-441-7602
ggrande@merrimack.com
SOURCE Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.