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GTCB partner Merrimack Pharma initiates phase-2 study in psoriasis:

[This is the second development program for MM-093, a recombinant form of AFP derived from GTCB’s goats. The first MM-093 program, in RA, is now in phase-2b following successful completion of a phase-2 study.]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051013/neth010.html?.v=27

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Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Initiates Enrollment in a Phase 2 Study of MM-093 in Patients with Psoriasis

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of a Phase 2a pilot study of the safety and efficacy of its immunomodulator, MM-093, in patients suffering from psoriasis. MM-093, Merrimack's lead product, is a recombinant version of human alpha- fetoprotein (AFP).

This study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, outpatient clinical investigation in approximately 30 adult patients with moderate-to- severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients will receive double-blind treatment for 12 weeks, with a follow up period of 6 weeks after the last dose. The study is being conducted at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, with Dr. Gerald Krueger as the principle investigator and at the Texas Dermatology Research Institute in Dallas, TX with Dr. Alan Menter as the principle investigator.

"In 2004, we did a similar pilot study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis which has led to a well-powered, dose-ranging, Phase 2b study in approximately 240 patients with RA," said Dr. Brian Hamilton, Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs. "Likewise, we anticipate that data from this study will be used to design a large Phase 2b study in patients with psoriasis. The development of MM-093 is currently focused on diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis -- areas in which published and proprietary pre-clinical data provide a compelling rationale for its use, and in which significant unmet medical needs still exist."

Contact:
James S. Scibetta, Executive VP & CFO
617-441-1043

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel treatments for diseases in the areas of autoimmune disease and cancer. Its lead compound, MM-093, is currently in Phase 2 clinical development to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis or with psoriasis. MM-093 is an investigational drug and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any international regulatory agency. The Company's proprietary Network Biology discovery platform, developed with the help of leading scientists from MIT and Harvard, enables the high throughput profiling of protein networks as a basis for improved validation, lead identification and speed in the development of innovative, effective and safe therapeutics. Merrimack is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For additional information, please visit http://www.merrimackpharma.com.
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