Once-a-Week Inhaled Treatment Helped Stabilize Lung Function and Was Generally Well Tolerated

MADRID, SPAIN - Results of a Phase I/II trial of NUVANCE (soluble IL-4 receptor), an investigational once-a-week inhaled asthma treatment, suggest the drug was generally well tolerated and helped stabilize lung function for up to 12 weeks following discontinuation of inhaled corticosteroids, Immunex Corporation (NASDAQ: IMNX) announced today. These results were presented today at the European Respiratory Society meeting in Madrid, Spain.

"Asthma has reached epidemic growth levels. IL-4 inhibition may change the way physicians think about asthma," said Dr. Larry Borish, associate professor in medicine, University of Virginia Medical Center and principal investigator for the NUVANCE trial. "The data presented today provide the foundation for further study of NUVANCE and IL-4 inhibition in asthma."

NUVANCE, a recombinant human version of a naturally occurring protein, represents a novel investigational approach to treating asthma. NUVANCE acts by binding to Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a protein that is present in asthmatic lungs. The binding of NUVANCE to IL-4 renders the bound IL-4 biologically inactive, which may reduce the IL-4 driven signs and symptoms of asthma.

This placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, Phase I/II trial was conducted in 62 adults with moderate persistent asthma, in which symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing occur regularly. Prior to the study, all patients were dependent on inhaled corticosteroids, daily medication intended to relieve inflammation of the airways. All patients discontinued inhaled corticosteroids when study treatment was started.

The study assessed the safety and pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution and elimination) of inhaled NUVANCE following discontinuation of inhaled corticosteroids. Investig
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Contact: Tim Warner
warnert@immunex.com
206-470-4193
Immunex Corporation
12-Oct-1999