ImmunoGen Inc. reported in the medical journal Blood that aPhase I trial of its lead product, Oncolysin B, demonstrated thedrug's efficacy as well as its safety.

The trial followed the period of disease-free survival in 12patients with B-cell lymphoma who are in remissionsubsequent to autologous bone marrow transplantation. Todate, 10 patients (83 percent) remain in complete remission,with a median time from transplant of 27 months. Historically,only 30 percent to 40 percent of patients remain in remissiontwo years after autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The drug, a monoclonal antibody linked to a derivative of theplant toxin ricin, is intended to eliminate residual tumor cellsthat can cause relapse.

ImmunoGen (NASDAQ:IMGN) of Cambridge, Mass., has begun arandomized Phase III clinical trial in patients in remissionfollowing autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The drug could potentially be used by about 70,000 Americanswho develop new cases of B-cell cancer each year. -- NancyGarcia

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