Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INGN), a developer of targeted
molecular therapies for cancer, today announced that the United States
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified the Company that its
Biologics License Application (BLA) for ADVEXIN®
(p53 tumor suppressor therapy) for the treatment of recurrent,
refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, submitted on
June 30, 2008, was not sufficiently complete and would not be filed at
this time. The Company intends to appeal this refuse to file decision
and is reviewing the various options available to it.
Earlier this month, Introgen and its subsidiary Gendux Molecular Limited
announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) accepted for review
the Company’s ADVEXIN Marketing Authorization
Application (MAA) for the treatment of recurrent, refractory squamous
cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
"We believe in the potential of ADVEXIN as a
treatment option for head and neck cancer, an area of significant unmet
need for today’s cancer patient,”
said David G. Nance, Introgen’s CEO. "We
are encouraged by our clinical data and believe that the 40,000
Americans who are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year would
benefit from ADVEXIN as a treatment option in the future. We will work
with FDA to determine our next steps in the U.S. as we continue to
pursue potential approval in Europe.”
About ADVEXIN
ADVEXIN p53 therapy is a targeted molecular therapy with broad
applicability in a wide range of tumor types and clinical settings
because it targets one of the most fundamental and common molecular
defects, abnormal p53 tumor suppressor function, associated with cancer
initiation, progression and treatment resistance. ADVEXIN has
demonstrated increased survival and tumor growth control in recurrent
head and neck cancer patients. ADVEXIN has demonstrated clinical
activity in a number of solid tumor types in multiple Phase 1, 2 and 3
clinical trials conducted worldwide. ADVEXIN is considered an 'Orphan
Drug' in the U.S. for the treatment of recurrent, refractory head and
neck cancer, which, if approved, entitles the drug to extended market
exclusivity for the approved indication. ADVEXIN is a registered
trademark describing p53 therapy, developed by Introgen under exclusive
worldwide licenses from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center.
About Introgen
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular
therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen’s
Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for ADVEXIN p53 therapy to
treat recurrent, refractory head and neck cancer and Li-Fraumeni
Syndrome Cancer has been accepted by the European Medicines Evaluation
Agency, and is presently under review in Europe.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be
"forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's
future success with its ADVEXIN clinical development programs for
treatment of cancer and the use of biomarker data to support the
regulatory approval of ADVEXIN and improve the care of patients. The
actual results may differ from those described in this release due to
risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and business
environment, including Introgen's stage of product development and the
limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in general,
dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive
environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits,
reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to
clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen's product
candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals,
Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other
risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K
and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the
results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect
events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Only the
FDA, EMEA and corresponding regulatory agencies have the authority to
approve pharmaceutical products. We cannot predict how such authorities
may interpret the information contained in this release.