Publication of Clinical Results Underscores VELCADE(R) (Bortezomib) For Injection Based Therapy As a Standard of Care In Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myelom...( -- Trial results of combination ther...),Health

-- Trial results of combination therapy VELCADE, melphalan and prednisone reported a 32 percent complete remission rate with 85 percent of patients

alive at three years --

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLNM) today announced the publication of updated results of the Phase I/II clinical trial of the combination therapy VELCADE, melphalan and prednisone (VcMP) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, who were ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Results of this study included one of the highest reported complete remission (CR) rates, which is an important indicator for long-term survival, and the highest three- year survival rate reported in the non-transplant setting. These results provided the basis for the Phase III VISTA trial. The Company submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2007 for VELCADE expansion into newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The FDA decision date for the sNDA is scheduled for June 20, 2008. The Company's co-development partner, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) also has filed a corresponding application with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.

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"These results support the strong relationship between high rates of durable complete remissions with long-term survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma," said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Millennium. "We are confident that VELCADE will be a key component of the standar
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