SEATTLE & PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 1, 2010 - ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced that interim results from Phase 2a of the EMERGE clinical trial of PEG-Interferon lambda administered with ribavirin in treatment-naïve hepatitis C virus patients, will be presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) annual meeting in Boston, October 29 – November 2, 2010. PEG-Interferon lambda abstracts, including clinical, pharmacokinetic and viral kinetic data along with in vitro data in combination with direct-acting antiviral agents, were published today and are available on the AASLD website at http://www.aasld.org/.
AASLD 2010 PEG-Interferon lambda Poster Presentations
Title: Pegylated Interferon Lambda (PEG-IFN-λ) Phase 2 Dose-Ranging, Active-Controlled Study in Combination with Ribavirin (RBV) for Treatment-Naïve HCV Patients (Genotypes 1, 2, 3, or 4): Safety, Viral Response, and Impact of IL-28B Host Genotype through Week 12
Abstract: 821
Presenter: A.J. Muir
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Title: Pharmacokinetics of PEG-Interferon lambda (PEG-IFN-λ) Following Fixed Dosing in Treatment-Naïve Hepatitis C Subjects (Single Dose Interim Data from a Dose-Ranging Phase 2A Study)
Abstract: 830
Presenter: K.A. Byrnes-Blake
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Title: The Effect of Treatment Group, HCV Genotype, and IL28B Genotype on Early HCV Viral Kinetics in a Phase 2A Study of PEG-Interferon lambda (PEG-IFN-λ) in Hepatitis C Patients
Abstract: 831
Presenter: J.A. Freeman
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Title: In vitro activity of the combination of pegylated interferon lambda (PEG-IFN-λ) with direct-acting antivirals in the HCV replicon model
Abstract: 1854
Presenter: F. McPhee
Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Time: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
About PEG-Interferon lambda
PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) is a novel and first in class interferon in development for hepatitis C. The native human interferon lambda proteins are generated by the immune system in response to viral infection, and signal through a different receptor than type I interferons, such as interferon alpha. Because this receptor is present on fewer cell types within the human body, it is hypothesized that PEG-Interferon lambda may be able to demonstrate an improved safety and tolerability profile compared to alpha interferons.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.bms.com/ or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
About ZymoGenetics
ZymoGenetics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutic proteins for the treatment of human diseases. The company developed and is marketing RECOTHROM® Thrombin, topical (Recombinant) in the United States. ZymoGenetics has two product candidates in Phase 2 clinical development: PEG-Interferon lambda, being studied in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, and IL-21, being tested as a potential treatment for metastatic melanoma. In addition, ZymoGenetics has an anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody in preclinical development, which it expects to test initially as a treatment for atopic dermatitis. Several of the product candidates previously identified through ZymoGenetics' discovery research efforts have been licensed to and are being developed by third parties, including Merck Serono and Novo Nordisk. ZymoGenetics is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties related to these assets. For further information, visit http://www.zymogenetics.com/.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to the acquisition of ZymoGenetics by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that the acquisition will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. Forward-looking statements in the press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed herein may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “future”; “anticipate”; “potential”; “believe”; or similar statements are forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and merger; uncertainties as to how many of the ZymoGenetics shareholders will tender their shares in the offer; the risk that competing offers will be made; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction; the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, licensees, other business partners or governmental entities; as well as risks detailed from time to time in ZymoGenetics' public disclosure filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, subsequent quarterly filings on Form 10-Q and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement filed in connection with the tender offer. The information contained in this release is as of September 28, 2010.
This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of ZymoGenetics. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Zeus Acquisition Corporation have filed a tender offer statement with the SEC, and have mailed an offer to purchase, forms of letter or transmittal and related documents to ZymoGenetics shareholders. ZymoGenetics has filed with the SEC, and has mailed to ZymoGenetics shareholders a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. These documents contain important information about the tender offer and stockholders of ZymoGenetics are urged to read them carefully when they become available.
These documents will be available at no charge at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/. The tender offer statement and the related materials may be obtained for free by directing a request by mail to Georgeson Inc., 199 Water Street, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10038 or by calling toll-free (800) 491-3096. In addition, a copy of the offer to purchase, letter or transmittal and certain other related tender offer documents (once they become available) may also be obtained free of charge from Bristol-Myers Squibb by directing a request to: Public Affairs, Telephone No.: (609) 252-6579; E-Mail: jennifer.mauer@bms.com.
ZymoGenetics Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to conducting and analyzing the results of clinical trials. Phrases such as “look forward” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon ZymoGenetics' current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to ZymoGenetics' ability to design and conduct clinical trials, the possibility that clinical trial results may vary between different arms of a clinical trial and the difficulty of using prior clinical trial results to predict future outcomes, as well as those other risks detailed in ZymoGenetics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Do not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and, except where required by law, ZymoGenetics undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.
PEGASYS® (Peginterferon alfa-2a) is a registered trademark of Hoffmann-La Roche
Contact: Bristol-Myers Squibb
Media
Cristi Barnett, 609-252-6028
cristi.barnett@bms.com
or
Investors
John Elicker, 609-252-4611
john.elicker@bms.com
or
ZymoGenetics
Media and Investors
Susan W. Specht, 206-442-6592
spechts@zymogenetics.com
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