Amgen To Present New Pre-Clinical Data Showcasing Robust Approach To Evaluating Potential Anti-Cancer Therapies At AACR 2018

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., April 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that new pre-clinical data for several of its novel investigational oncology candidates will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 14-18, 2018. Data spans Amgen's early pipeline, including the first presentation of data for its most advanced chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy programs, targeting DLL3 in small cell lung cancer and FLT3 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, pre-clinical data for Amgen's DLL3 CAR T cell therapy and bispecific T cell engager (BiTE^®) program will be featured in an oral presentation.

"As part of our overarching research and development strategy, Amgen is committed to advancing multiple modalities to gain biological insights before selecting the optimal treatment approach," said David M. Reese, M.D., senior vice president of Translational Sciences and Oncology at Amgen. "With a variety of tools in our toolkit, we have the ability to comprehensively evaluate these novel approaches to determine how each may perform in different treatment settings. We look forward to seeing how the pre-clinical data ultimately translate in the clinic."

Research presented at the meeting will also include pre-clinical studies examining pharmacodynamic markers for Mcl-1 inhibition, as well as the combination of Amgen's Mcl-1 inhibitor (AMG 176) with a selective BCL-2 inhibitor in models of AML. AMG 176 is a highly selective and reversible Mcl-1 inhibitor and is being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial involving patients with relapsed or refractory AML or multiple myeloma. Studies have shown that hematologic malignancies including AML, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are particularly sensitive to Mcl-1 inhibition. 

In addition, Amgen will present for the first time pre-clinical data evaluating its half-life extended (HLE) anti-BCMA BiTE^® for the treatment of multiple myeloma. A phase 1 study evaluating Amgen's anti-BCMA HLE-BiTE^® (AMG 701) is ongoing.

With the exception of late-breaking research, abstracts are available and can be reviewed on the AACR website at http://www.aacr.org/. Identified below are select abstracts of interest on Amgen research:

Immuno-oncology

• Targeting DLL3 with BiTE^® antibody constructs and cell-based therapies for the treatment of SCLC
  Abstract #DDT02, Oral Presentation, Sunday, April 15 from 3:24-3:48 p.m. CT at McCormick Place South (Level 1), Room S103
• Generation and evaluation of a FLT3 CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia
  Abstract #2559/18, Poster Session, Monday, April 16 from 1-5 p.m. CT at McCormick Place, Exhibit Hall A, Poster Section 24
• Cynomolgus monkey plasma cell gene signature to quantify the in vivo activity of a half-life extended anti-BCMA BiTE^® for the treatment of multiple myeloma
  Abstract #LB-299/21, Poster Presentation, Tuesday, April 17 from 1-5 p.m. CT at McCormick Place, Exhibit Hall A, Poster Section 44

Mcl-1 Inhibition

• The utilization of a human MCL-1 knock-in mouse suggests that reductions in B-cells and monocytes may serve as clinically relevant pharmacodynamic markers of MCL-1 inhibition
  Abstract #2978, Oral Presentation, Monday, April 16 from 4:35-4:50 p.m. CT at McCormick Place North (Level 4), Room N427
• Combined inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-2 with AMG 176 and venetoclax induces apoptosis and tumor regression in models of acute myeloid leukemia
  Abstract #3972/6, Poster Session, Tuesday, April 17 from 8 a.m.-noon CT at McCormick Place, Exhibit Hall A, Poster Section 41

About CAR T Cell Therapy
CAR T cell therapy is an evolving area of personalized medicine in which a patient's own T cells (a type of white blood cell) are engineered to recognize tumor-specific antigens and incite an immune system attack against the cancer cells. Amgen is exploring the application of CAR T cell therapy across hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. Amgen and Kite Pharma, a subsidiary of Gilead Sciences Inc., are collaborating on engineering and commercializing Car T cell therapies.

About BiTE^® Technology
Bispecific T cell engager (BiTE^®) antibody constructs are a type of immunotherapy being investigated for fighting cancer by helping the body's immune system to detect and target malignant cells. The modified antibodies are designed to bridge T cells to tumor cells, using the patient's own immune system to eradicate cancer. BiTE^® antibody constructs help place the T cells within reach of the targeted cell, with the intent of allowing T cells to inject toxins and trigger the cancer cell to die (apoptosis). BiTE^® antibody constructs are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers.

About Amgen's Commitment to Oncology
Amgen Oncology is committed to helping patients take on some of the toughest cancers, such as those that have been resistant to drugs, those that progress rapidly through the body and those where limited treatment options exist. Amgen's supportive care treatments help patients combat certain side effects of strong chemotherapy, and our targeted medicines and immunotherapies focus on more than a dozen different malignancies, ranging from blood cancers to solid tumors. With decades of experience providing therapies for cancer patients, Amgen continues to grow its portfolio of innovative and biosimilar oncology medicines.

About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

Forward-Looking Statements
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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Kristen Davis, 805-447-3008 (media)
Kristen Neese, 805-313-8267 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)

SOURCE Amgen

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