" The Phase I dose-escalation trial for the treatment of psoriasis is expected to be conducted at three sites in North America. Patients will be dosed once and subsequently evaluated for a period of 126 days, including blood and skin analysis at regular intervals."

" MEDI-545 is under evaluation for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) in a Phase I clinical study also being conducted by MedImmune. The Phase I study in lupus will be the subject of a poster presentation at the 8th International Lupus Consortium, scheduled for May 24 - 26 in Shanghai. In addition, MedImmune has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for orphan drug status of MEDI-545 for an additional indication, idiopathic inflammatory myositis, an immunological disease that involves chronic muscle inflammation, pain and weakness."

" "We are pleased with MedImmune's continued commitment to and progress with this antibody product candidate. We believe that the expansion of indications could lead to the development of therapeutics for a broad population of patients afflicted with serious autoimmune diseases," said Irwin Lerner, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim President and CEO of Medarex."

" MEDI-545 (previously known as MDX-1103) is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting interferon-alpha. Published data indicate that levels of interferon-alpha are elevated in many patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) and other autoimmune disorders, and may be associated with disease activity. Preclinical data from animal models suggest that MEDI-545 may suppress the abnormal immune activity associated with lupus by binding to multiple interferon-alpha subtypes seen in the serum of lupus patients."

" In November 2004, MedImmune entered into a collaboration with Medarex to focus on two specific antibodies, one of which was MDX-1103 (now known as MEDI-545). Under the terms of the agreement, MedImmune is responsible for all ongoing clinical development activities. Prior to the beginning of pivotal studies, Medarex may elect to co-develop the products in return for the opportunity to co-promote and to receive a share of the commercial profits in the United States. In all other cases, Medarex will be entitled to receive milestone payments and royalties."

" Psoriasis is an immunological disease affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis, is characterized by the formation of lesions, or inflamed patches of skin. The severity of psoriasis can range from a small number of lesions to more severe cases involving moderate to large areas of skin. Psoriasis occurs nearly equally in men and women and can develop at any age, commonly appearing between ages 15 and 35. Approximately 10 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. In psoriatic arthritis, the joints and the soft tissue around them become inflamed and stiff, affecting the fingers and toes and possibly involving the neck, lower back, knees and ankles. In severe cases, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling and cause irreversible damage to joints."

" Approximately 350,000 individuals in the United States are affected with lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the body to attack its own tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. Treatments for lupus include anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarials, corticosteroids and drugs approved for other purposes, such as immunosuppressive agents given to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or medicines developed to treat arthritis patients. Lupus occurs about 10 times more frequently in adult females than adult males, and is two to three times more
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