( - Positive data on subcutaneous adminis...)New Data on Market-Leading Velcade (Bortezomib) for Injection,Further Strengthen Role in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma,Health

CHICAGO, June 04, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of positive data for VELCADE, the market-leading therapy for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior therapy. These data include results from a Phase II trial for subcutaneous (SC) administration of VELCADE, a new option under evaluation. Results were also presented from the international Phase III trial of VELCADE + DOXIL, which served as the basis for the recent U.S. approval of the combination and showed significant improvement in time to disease progression compared to VELCADE alone, the current standard of care. The VELCADE + DOXIL abstract was selected by the Best of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Program Committee as one of the premier abstracts at the 43rd Annual Meeting in Chicago.

"We and our partner Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development L.L.C. continue to develop new clinical data that reinforce the role of VELCADE as the U.S. market-leading therapy in previously treated multiple myeloma," said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Millennium. "These data demonstrate that VELCADE in combination with another active agent can further strengthen the unparalleled impact of VELCADE. We are aggressively pursuing development of a subcutaneous delivery form to broaden alternatives for patients who prefer to receive VELCADE treatment at home."

Prospective Comparison of Subcutaneous to Intravenous Administration of Bortezomib in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy and Toxicity (Abstract #8046)

This randomized trial evaluated the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), toxicity and response rate of VELCADE in patients treated with either an SC or intravenous
'"/>