This is promising news from an IMGN partner:


Millennium Announces Promising Findings from Novel Antibody-Chemotherapeutic MLN2704 Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb 20, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MLNM) today announced final results from a phase I clinical trial of MLN2704 in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. These results were presented at the 2005 Prostate Cancer Symposium taking place this week in Orlando, Fl.

The findings from this first in human MLN2704 single ascending dose trial indicated the molecule was well tolerated and produced sustained anti-tumor activity, including one patient who achieved a durable partial response in measurable disease for 11 months, as well as a sustained prostate specific antigen (PSA) decline of more than 50 percent. This patient received 14 doses prior to measurable disease progression at 47 weeks. MLN2704 is composed of a deimmunized monoclonal antibody (MLN591) directed at prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) conjugated to the chemotherapeutic agent DM1.

"We are encouraged by these findings with MLN2704 in prostate cancer, and we are continuing to assess the dose and schedule," said David Schenkein, M.D., senior vice president, clinical research, Millennium. "These results allow us to continue to pursue this important area of unmet medical need, and we are hopeful that further development can lead to new therapeutic options for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer."

Interim data from the Company's ongoing multiple ascending dose trial evaluating MLN2704 in patients with prostate cancer has been accepted for presentation at the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) scheduled for May 13-17 in Orlando, Fl.


You can find more info under the Media section of the Company's website at: http://www.millennium.com.