Immunomedics receives additional patent claims for antibody therapy

Immunomedics, Inc. (Nasdaq:IMMU), a biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of monoclonal, antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases, today announced that additional claims for the patent family "Method and kit for imaging and treating organs and tissue," were issued as U.S. Patent No. 7,811,570. The new patent covers the use of antibodies to deplete normal cells in the spleen, including B cells, by targeting specific cell markers for the treatment of immune diseases. Comparable patents have also issued in Europe and Canada.

"Many autoimmune diseases have been shown to involve the B-cell population of lymphocytes, particularly in organs such as the spleen. Our patent covers the depletion of B-cells in the spleen for the treatment of immune diseases," commented Cynthia L. Sullivan, President and CEO. "We are pleased with these additional patent claims, which we intend to license out to potential corporate partners on a non-exclusive basis," she added.