Can ImmunoGen's Key Pipeline Cancer Candidate Drive Growth?

On Oct 18, 2017, we issued an updated report on ImmunoGen, Inc. IMGN.

ImmunoGen is a development-stage biotechnology company, focused on developing targeted cancer therapeutics, using its proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology.

ImmunoGen has made significant progress with regard to its lead pipeline candidate, mirvetuximab soravtansine. The candidate is currently in a phase III study (FORWARD I) as a single-agent therapy for treating patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, whose tumors express high or medium levels of FR alpha. Additionally, they have received up to three prior treatment regimens. Successful development and subsequent approval will be a huge boost to the company as ovarian cancer market represents a huge potential.

Notably, combination regimens with mirvetuximab soravtansine in ovarian cancer are in the phase Ib/II FORWARD II study. The trial consists of cohorts assessing mirvetuximab soravtansine in combination with Roche’s Avastin and Merck’s Keytruda. ImmunoGen reported initial data from the FORWARD II study in May, demonstrating the candidate to have potential to complement currently available therapies for the indication.

Notably, mirvetuximab soravtansine enjoys an Orphan Drug status in both the United States and the EU for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Although the platinum-resistant ovarian cancer market provides immense commercial potential, ImmunoGen is set to face intense competition upon approval from established products like Roche’s Avastin and Johnson & Johnson’s JNJ Doxil. Also, several companies are working on to introduce treatments to the market, targeting this disease.

Apart from mirvetuximab soravtansine, ImmunoGen is working to develop a couple of other candidates, including IMGN779 and IMGN632. Notably, IMGN779 is being evaluated in a phase I study for treating acute myeloid leukemia with data expected later this year. On the other hand, the company plans to move IMGN632 into clinical development before the year-end to treat hematological malignancies including acute myeloma leukemia (AML).

ImmunoGen has agreements with several big healthcare companies including Amgen Inc., Bayer, Eli Lilly and Company LLY, Novartis NVS, Roche, Sanofi and Takeda. These contracts in turn allow other companies to use ImmunoGen’s ADC technology and provide it with funds in the form of license and milestone fees, royalties, clinical materials revenue and R&D (research and development) support fees.

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