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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
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PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 1, 1999
IMMUNOGEN, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
Massachusetts 0-17999 04-2726691
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation File Number) Identification No.)
333 Providence Highway, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062 (Address of
principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (781) 769-4242
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On June 1, 1999, ImmunoGen, Inc. (the "Company") announced that it has received
a $2.0 million milestone payment from SmithKline Beecham Plc ("SmithKline")
pursuant to its license agreement with SmithKline. The Company also announced
that upon achievement of this milestone, and in addition to the $2.0 million
milestone payment, the Company has fulfilled the condition required to exercise
the first of two put options.
The press release announcing achievement of the milestone is incorporated herein
by reference and filed as exhibit 99.1 hereto.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(C) Exhibits.
99.1 The Registrant's Press Release dated June 1, 1999.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereto duly authorized.
ImmunoGen, Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: June 1, 1999 /s/Kathleen A. Carroll
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Kathleen A. Carroll
Vice President, Finance and
Administration, and principal
financial officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Sequential
Number Description Page Number(s)
99.1 The Registrant's Press Release
dated June 1, 1999 5
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Exhibit 99.1
CONTACT: Mitchel Sayare
Chairman and CEO
ImmunoGen, Inc.
(781) 769-4242
- or -
Gretchen L. P. Schweitzer
or Lucy Morrison
Feinstein Kean Partners Inc.
(617) 577-8110
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
IMMUNOGEN, INC. RECEIVES SECOND MILESTONE PAYMENT FROM SMITHKLINE
BEECHAM AS PART OF COLORECTAL CANCER TREATMENT AGREEMENT
Norwood, Massachusetts, June 1, 1999 -- ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN) today
announced that it has received the second milestone payment under its agreement
with SmithKline Beecham Plc (SB), to develop and commercialize ImmunoGen's lead
tumor activated prodrug, huC242-DM1. Pursuant to the agreement, ImmunoGen
received $2 million upon confirmation of ImmunoGen's capability to produce
sufficient quantities of huC242-DM1 in advance of the start of clinical trials
for the product. Upon achievement of this milestone, and in addition to the $2
million milestone payment, the Company has fulfilled the condition required to
exercise the first of two put options. If exercised, this option would result in
the sale to SB of ImmunoGen common stock.
"The achievement of this second milestone further illustrates ImmunoGen's
ability to meet its defined objectives in the co-development of this product and
also demonstrates SB's commitment to recognizing ImmunoGen's contributions. As
stated previously, we expect that human trials of the product will begin in the
second half of calendar year 1999," stated Mitchel Sayare, Ph.D., Chairman and
CEO of ImmunoGen, Inc. "We look forward to receiving further payments as future
milestones are achieved by ImmunoGen and SB during the course of development."
The prodrug, huC242-DM1, links together the colon cancer targeting antibody,
huC242, with DM1, a highly potent cell-killing agent in the maytansinoid family.
HuC242-DM1 targets colon cancer tumors via the binding of the huC242 antibody to
an antigen called CanAg that is expressed on cells in most colon tumors. The
binding of the huC242 antibody to CanAg expressing cells delivers the potent
chemotherapeutic specifically to colon cancer tumor cells while not adversely
affecting healthy cells.
Under terms of the agreement between ImmunoGen and SB, in addition to royalties,
ImmunoGen could receive up-front cash and milestone payments totaling more than
$40 million. Additionally, at ImmunoGen's option, SB will purchase up to $5
million of ImmunoGen's common stock over the next two years, subject to certain
conditions, one of which has now been met. SB will receive exclusive worldwide
rights to commercialize huC242-DM1, except in certain Far East territories. SB
and ImmunoGen will collaborate on the remaining development. ImmunoGen has
responsibility for the product's initial assessment in humans.
ImmunoGen, Inc. develops innovative biopharmaceuticals, primarily for cancer
treatment. The Company has created potent tumor-activated prodrugs, consisting
of drugs coupled to monoclonal antibodies, for delivery to and destruction of
cancer cells.
This press release includes forward-looking statements based on management's
current expectations. Factors that could cause future results to differ
materially from such expectations include, but are not limited to: the ability
to secure future funding; the success of the Company's research strategy; the
applicability of the discoveries made therein; the difficulties inherent in the
development of pharmaceuticals, including uncertainties as to the timing and
results of preclinical studies; delayed achievements of milestones; reliance on
collaborators; uncertainty as to whether the Company's potential products will
succeed in entering human clinical trials and uncertainty as to the results of
such trials; uncertainty as to whether adequate reimbursement for these products
will exist from government, private healthcare insurers and third-party payors;
and the uncertainties as to the extent of future government regulation of the
pharmaceutical business.
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