Abgenix Announces Initiation of a Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ABX-EGF

in Combination With Chemotherapy in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

09-Jan-2002

FREMONT, CA - Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of ABX-EGF in patients with colorectal cancer. This clinical trial, the fifth Phase 2 study of ABX-EGF and the second for the colorectal cancer indication, is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ABX-EGF in combination with standard chemotherapy, as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Abgenix is developing ABX-EGF in collaboration with Immunex Corporation.

ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), a receptor identified in many solid tumor types. The multi-center, open-label Phase 2 study will enroll up to 84 patients. Patients will receive weekly intravenous infusions of 2.5 mg/kg of ABX-EGF in combination with standard doses of irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil over a 6-week treatment cycle, for up to eight cycles.

"For patients with colorectal cancer, we are evaluating ABX-EGF as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with standard chemotherapy in two separate Phase 2 studies," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We are pleased with the progress the joint Abgenix/Immunex team has made in advancing development of our lead antibody candidate for cancer."

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