Replies to post #3326 on ImClone Systems Inc (formerly IMCL)

[Biowatch]

UCB, ImClone Systems End Agreement
Tuesday February 6, 8:11 am ET
UCB, ImClone Systems End Agreement to Develop Treatment for Most Common Type of Lung Cancer

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB SA and U.S.-based ImClone Systems Inc. said Tuesday they have ended an agreement to develop a treatment for the most common type of lung cancer.

ImClone will receive a royalty on future sales of the treatment, CDP-791, when UCB commercializes the antibody, UCB said in a statement.

"UCB will continue to fully develop CDP-791 and intends to globally market this promising compound in the future," said Melanie Lee, the company's executive vice president for research and development. "The development of CDP-791 is progressing well and we are eagerly awaiting the results of the phase IIa evaluation in the next couple of months."

ImClone said it opted out of the development agreement for CDP-791 in order to focus its resources on the development of IMC-1121B, a proprietary antibody product candidate targeting a protein thought to be associated with lung cancer growth.

Shares in UCB rose 0.9 percent to euro49.24 (US$63.73) in Brussels trading.

[for the record.]

[topicviewer]

FYI: They said as much today

"I also like the implication from the PR that once phase I studies are completed in 1H07, an aggressive phase II development program on anti-VEGFR2 will be implemented. Full ownership. Huge market potential."

Take in the Merrill Healthcare Conf presentation today. It can be found on IMCL's website.

ER specifically alluded to this and essentially referred to Avastin by name.