WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a leader in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, today announced that Anna Berkenblit, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, is stepping down from her position with the Company to take a well-deserved professional hiatus prior to pursuing new opportunities outside of ImmunoGen. Dr. Berkenblit will continue with the Company through the end of August to support the transition of her responsibilities. Michael Vasconcelles, MD, Executive Vice President, Research, Development, and Medical Affairs, will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer.
"Over the last eight years, Anna has played an essential role in the transformation of ImmunoGen," said Mark Enyedy, ImmunoGen's President and Chief Executive Officer. "First and foremost, she led the design and execution of the pivotal development program for ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) that culminated in FDA-accelerated approval late last year in folate receptor alpha positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and the unprecedented survival data reported at ASCO in June that have transformed the treatment landscape for patients with this disease. Under her leadership, we have also advanced our broader clinical pipeline of next-generation ADCs, with top-line data from our second pivotal program expected next year. In parallel, she has built and leaves us with a highly talented development organization that has cultivated deep relationships with thought leaders around the world and can rapidly deliver complex studies with high-quality data. Finally, she has been a valued colleague to me and the rest of the ImmunoGen Executive Committee. I wish Anna the very best in her future endeavors and offer my thanks for her unrelenting work on behalf of ImmunoGen, our collaborators, and most importantly, patients in need of more good days."
"I take immense pride in having been a part of the leadership team that led ImmunoGen to success with SORAYA and MIRASOL, built a clinical development team filled with top talent capable of operating effectively during a global pandemic, and contributed to the efforts that brought ELAHERE through to accelerated approval for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer," said Anna Berkenblit, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of ImmunoGen. "It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve this organization. As I look ahead to what's next, I look forward to spending time with my family, continuing board work with other companies, and pursuing consulting in the coming months while I watch ImmunoGen's bright future unfold."
ABOUT IMMUNOGEN
ImmunoGen is developing the next generation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve outcomes for cancer patients. By generating targeted therapies with enhanced anti-tumor activity and favorable tolerability profiles, we aim to disrupt the progression of cancer and offer our patients more good days. We call this our commitment to TARGET A BETTER NOW™.
Learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we do it at www.immunogen.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, ImmunoGen's expectations related to the potential of ELAHERE to change how ovarian cancer is treated and the Company's business and product development strategies. A range of factors could cause ImmunoGen's actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from such expectations include, but are not limited to: top-line data may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures; the timing and outcome of the Company's preclinical and clinical development processes; the results of the ongoing MIRASOL trial may not support full approval of ELAHERE and, if so, additional studies may be required; the difficulties inherent in the development of novel pharmaceuticals, including uncertainties as to the timing, expense, and results of preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory processes; the timing and outcome of the Company's anticipated interactions with regulatory authorities; the risk that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate price and reimbursement for any approved products, including the potential for delays or additional difficulties for ELAHERE in light of the FDA granting accelerated approval; risks and uncertainties associated with the scale and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on ImmunoGen's industry and business; and other factors as set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2023, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. ImmunoGen undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of latest information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.
