Eisai Oncology to Present New Research on Product Portfolio and Pipeline at ASCO Annual Meeting

Hatfield, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

Eisai announced today that 12 abstracts highlighting new study
results will be presented during the 48th Annual Meeting of the
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), taking place in
Chicago, USA, from 1-5 June 2012.

These studies highlight Eisai's current product portfolio and
oncology pipeline, reinforcing the company's commitment to patients
and their families affected by cancer.

"Our human health care mission is to help address unmet medical
needs and increase benefits to patients and their families," said
Takashi Owa, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Eisai Product Creation
Systems. "Our portfolio of oncology compounds and therapies
underscores our commitment to this important mission."

The following Eisai abstracts are accepted for presentation at
this year's ASCO meeting:

Product Abstract Name
A Phase II Single Arm, Feasibility Study of Dose Dense
Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC) Followed by
Eribulin Eribulin Mesylate for the Adjuvant Treatment of Early
Stage Breast Cancer (EBC)
Abstract No:
TPS1145 Poster Session
A Phase 1b Dose Escalation Study of Eribulin Mesylate in
Combination with Capecitabine in Patients with
Eribulin Advanced/Metastatic Cancer
Abstract No: 2552 Poster Session
Lenvatinib
(E7080) Treatment of Refractory Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
(RCC) with Lenvatinib (E7080) and Everolimus
Abstract No:
TPS4682 Poster Session
Lenvatinib
A Phase IB Study of Lenvatinib (E7080) in Combination
(E7080) with Temozolomide for Treatment of Advanced Melanoma
Abstract No: 8594 Poster Session
Lenvatinib Treatment of Advanced RAI-refractory
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC); Cytokine and
Lenvatinib Angiongenic Factor (CAF) Profiling in Combination with
Tumour Genetic Analysis to Identify Markers Associated
E7080 with Response
Abstract No: 5518 Poster Discussion
Lenvatinib A Phase II Trial of the Multitargeted Kinase Inhibitor
Lenvatinib (E7080) in Advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer
(E7080) (MTC)
Abstract No: 5591 Poster Session
A Phase I Dose-Finding Study of of Golvatinib (E7050) a
cMET and Eph Receptor Targeted Multi-Kinase Inhibitor,
Administered Orally QD to Patients with Advanced Solid
E7050 Tumours
Abstract No: 3030 Poster Discussion
A Phase I Dose-Finding Study of Golvatinib (E7050), a
c-Met and EPH Receptor Targeted Multi-Kinase Inhibitor
Administered Orally BID to Patients with Advanced Solid
E7050 Tumours
Abstract No: 3079 Poster Session
Phase I Safety Study of Farletuzumab, Carboplatin and
Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (PLD) in Patients with
Farletuzumab Platinum-Sensitive Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC)
MORAb-003
Abstract No: 5062 Poster Session
Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Farletuzumab in
Farletuzumab Solid Tumours
MORAb-003
Abstract No: 3084 Poster Session
Amatuximab, A Chimeric Monoclonal Antibody to
Amatuximab Mesothelin, in Combination with Pemetrexed and Cisplatin
in Patients with Unresectable Pleural Mesothelioma
MORAb-009 Results of a Multicentre Phase II Clinical Trial
Abstract No: 7030 Poster Discussion
A First-in-Human Phase I Study of MORAb-004 (M4), a
Humanised Monoclonal Antibody Recognising Endosialin
MORAb-004 (TEM-1), in Patients with Solid Tumours
Abstract No: 3016 Poster Discussion

Notes to Editors

Eisai in Oncology

Eisai is dedicated to discovering, developing and producing
innovative oncology therapies that can make a difference and impact
the lives of patients and their families. This passion for people is
part of Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission, which strives for
better understanding of the needs of patients and their families to
increase the benefits health care provides. Our commitment to
meaningful progress in oncology research, built on scientific
expertise, is supported by a global capability to conduct discovery
and preclinical research, and develop small molecules, therapeutic
vaccines, and biologic and supportive care agents for cancer across
multiple indications.

Halaven(R) (eribulin)

Eribulin is a non-taxane, microtubule dynamics inhibitor
indicated for the treatment of patients with breast cancer who have
previously received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for
metastatic disease and whose prior therapy should have included an
anthracycline and a taxane.[1] Eribulin belongs to a class of
antineoplastic agents, the halichondrins, which are natural products,
isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. It is believed
to work by inhibiting the growth phase of microtubule dynamics
without affecting the shortening phase and sequesters tubulin into
non-productive aggregates.

Lenvatinib (E7080)

Lenvatinib is an orally active inhibitor of multiple receptor
tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including KDR (VEGFR-2), Flt-1 (VEGFR-1),
FGFR1, PDGFR-beta and c-kit involved in angiogenesis and tumour
proliferation.[2,3]

It is currently being investigated as a treatment for thyroid,
hepatocellular, endometrial and other solid tumour types.

Farletuzumab (MORAb-003)

Farletuzumab is an investigational, humanized IgG1 monoclonal
antibody targeting folate receptor alpha which is over-expressed on a
number of epithelial-derived cancers, but largely absent in normal
tissue. It is currently being developed as a potential treatment for
ovarian and lung cancers. Significantly, farletuzumab has received
orphan drug designation for ovarian cancer in the US, EU and
Switzerland.

MORAb-004

MORAb-004 is an investigational humanized IgG1 monoclonal
antibody that recognizes a cell surface protein, endosialin, also
called Tumour Endothelial Marker-1 (TEM1) and CD248, which is
expressed on tumour associated pericytes, tumour stromal cells and
directly on a subset of malignant cells. Pericytes are specialised
cells that support the formation of blood vessels that support blood
to tumours for their growth and survival. Expression of endosialin in
tumours has been observed by several independent laboratories and
experiments, and blocking endosialin function has been shown to
inhibit tumour growth and metastasis. MORAb-004 is currently being
investigated as a monoclonal antibody for its potential treatment of
many types of cancer. An Investigational New Drug
application
was opened for MORAb-004 in 2009. MORAb-004 has received US FDA
orphan drug designation
for sarcoma.

Amatuximab (MORAb-009)

Amatuximab (MORAb-009) is an investigational chimeric IgG1
antibody that targets a cell surface glycoprotein, mesothelin, which
is over-expressed on a number of cancers. Mesothelin is thought to be
involved in cell adhesion. Its presence is associated with a range of
cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, mesothelioma,
epithelial ovarian cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma. Researchers at
the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Johns Hopkins University
have independently validated mesothelin as a potential target of
immuno-based therapies. Amatuximab is currently being investigated
clinically as a monoclonal antibody for its potential treatment of
mesothelioma.

About Eisai

Eisai is one of the world's leading R&D-based pharmaceutical
companies and has defined its corporate mission as "giving first
thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits
health care provides," which we call human health care (hhc). Eisai
recently expanded their UK Hatfield facility which now supports the
company's growing European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA)
business.

Eisai concentrates its R&D activities in three key areas:

- Neuroscience, including: Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis,
neuropathic pain, epilepsy, depression
- Oncology including: anticancer therapies; tumour regression, tumour
suppression, antibodies, etc and supportive cancer therapies; pain relief, nausea
- Vascular/Immunological reaction including: acute coronary syndrome,
atherothrombotic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease

With operations in the U.S., Asia, Europe and its domestic home
market of Japan, Eisai employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. In
Europe, Eisai undertakes sales and marketing operations in over 20
markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,
Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway,
Portugal, Iceland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and
Belgium.

For further information please visit our web site
http://www.eisai.com

About Morphotek

Morphotek(R), Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai, is a biopharmaceutical
company specialising in the development of protein and antibody
products through the use of a novel and proprietary gene evolution
technology. The technology has been successfully applied to a broad
variety of cell lines and organisms to yield genetically diverse
offspring that are suitable for pharmaceutical product development in
the areas of antibody therapeutics, protein therapeutics, product
manufacturing, drug target discovery, and improved output traits for
commercial applications. The company is currently focusing its
platform on the development and manufacturing of therapeutic
antibodies for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and infectious
disease.

For more information, please visit http://www.morphotek.com.

1. Cortes J, O'Shaughnessy J, Loesch D, et al. Eribulin
monotherapy versus treatment of physician's choice in patients with
metastatic breast cancer (EMBRACE): a phase 3 open-label randomised
study. The Lancet. 2011; 377: 914 -923.

2. Matsui J et al. Multi-kinase inhibitor E7080 suppresses lymph
node and lung metastases of human mammary breast tumour MDA-MB-231
via inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor
(VEGF-R) 2 and VEGF-R3 kinase. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14: 5459-65.

3. Matsui J et al. E7080, a novel inhibitor that targets multiple
kinases, has potent antitumour activities against stem cell factor
producing human small cell lung cancer H146, based on angiogenesis
inhibition. Int J Cancer 2008; 122: 664-71.

ots Originaltext: Eisai Europe Limited
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media Enquiries: Eisai Europe Ltd, Charlotte Andrews / Cressida
Robson, +44(0)7947-231513 / +44(0)790-831-4155,
charlotte_andrews@eisai.net
/ , cressida_robson@eisai.net ; Tonic Life Communications:
Benjamyn Tan
/ Leah Peyton, +44(0)207-798-9262 / +44(0)7788-191434,
benjamyn.tan@toniclc.com / leah.peyton@toniclc.com