AMES, Iowa, June 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLink Genetics Corporation (Nasdaq:NLNK - News) announces that its HyperAcute(R) Pancreas (algenpantucel-L) Immunotherapy will be featured today in a poster presentation (abstract number 4049) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2012 Annual Meeting being held in Chicago, IL. The abstract entitled "Addition of algenpantucel-L immunotherapy to standard of care (SOC) adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer" will be shown in S Hall A2 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM . The study results show 37%, 59% and 121% improvement in 1-, 2- and 3-year survival, respectively, as compared to standard-of-care.

Dr. Jeffrey M. Hardacre, the study's Principal Investigator, from the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH stated, "As a surgeon who regularly treats patients suffering from pancreatic cancer, and being accustomed to the dismal prognosis for these patients, I am highly encouraged with the exceptional overall survival data from this study."

"Given that the primary endpoint in our pivotal Phase 3 study targeting similar patients is overall survival, this data supports our cautious optimism," said Dr. Nicholas Vahanian, President and Chief Medical Officer of NewLink Genetics.

Key data from the 69 patient Phase 2 algenpantucel-L trial demonstrated:

The primary endpoint of the study, 12-month disease free survival (DFS), was 62%. The median DFS was 14.1 months. Subgroup analysis showed that patients receiving 300 million cells/dose had a 12-month DFS of 81%, while those receiving 100 million cells/dose had a 12-month DFS of 51% (p=0.02, Fisher's Exact). Prognostic criteria did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Overall 12-month survival was 86%. The predicted 12 month overall survival in our study was 63%. Subgroup analysis showed that patients receiving 300 million cells/dose had an overall 12-month survival of 96%, while those receiving 100 million cells/dose had an overall 12-month survival of 79% (p=0.053, Fisher's Exact). Two-year overall survival in our study was 51% with a predicted survival of 32% and 3-year overall survival was 42% with a predicted survival of 19%. Predicted survivals were computed using prognostic factors gathered for each patient and calculated using a nomogram published by Brennan et al from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Over the 33 month median follow up period of the study, the percentage improvement in overall survival rate compared to nomogram analysis increased over time. These data are consistent with recent studies of active immunotherapies (Sipuleucel-T and Ipilimumab) in that immune benefits appear greater in some patients over time.

Prominent eosinophil responses have been observed with the majority of patients demonstrating measurable increases in peripheral blood eosinophilia. In addition to eosinophilic infiltrates at the injection site in all tested patients, 70% developed eosinophilia, with 30% showing persistent eosinophilia for up to 2 years.

The HyperAcute(R) Pancreas immunotherapy product candidate, also referred to as algenpantucel-L, demonstrated good tolerability and a favorable safety profile with no grade four adverse events considered attributable to the immunotherapy. The predominant adverse events related to the immunotherapy were grade one or two injection site reactions, all treated with conservative local therapies.

Anecdotally, three patients with cancer recurrence after receiving algenpantucel-L obtained complete radiographic responses with the use of subsequent chemotherapy. As of May 16, 2012, all three patients remain in remission with no evidence of disease for periods ranging from six to 36 months. "We are presenting data from three different HyperAcute products at ASCO this year and each of these has generated intriguing data that provide insights into the activity and mechanisms associated with the treatment of patients with HyperAcute immunotherapies," stated Dr. Charles Link, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of NewLink Genetics. "These observations include survival advantages that improve over time, objective responses, novel immunological findings and chemosensitization."

About the Phase 2 Study

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NewLink Genetics Reports Two- and Three-Year Overall Survival Data From Its Phase-2 HyperAcute(R) Pancreas ...