PRESS RELEASE – MENARINI GROUP

Chicago, 6th June 2011 - At the American Society of Clinical Oncology Congress (ASCO), the outcome of the MIMOSA Study on the potential benefit of Abagovomab, a molecule developed by Menarini Research, on the ”time to relapse” in women suffering from ovarian cancer, was presented. The study lasted four years and involved approximately 900 patients in 150 specialised centres throughout Europe and U.S.A.

Even if the treatment itself has been well tolerated, the vaccinations carried out using Abagovomab did not confirm the expected levels of benefit foreseen during the initial studies.

“The members of the Menarini Research department, a predominantly female team, have never considered this project just another part of their daily work. They have always considered it a true mission to stand by all those women who, every day of their lives, have to fight against this ‘silent killer’. Results such as these, despite the excellent scientific promise of the project as a whole, are one of those ‘surprises’ that often, and unfortunately, do occur during the development of highly innovative drugs and one that we, as a company, are called to face. The results of the Mimosa Study are, however, to be considered a precious contribution to the world’s scientific community as, with their thoroughness and calibre, they lead the way to new and different inroads into oncological research on an International level. Our commitment and undertaking to stand by all those women in their fight against ovarian cancer, just like all our other research work, are not, therefore, to be considered worthless”, commented Angela Capriati, Director of Clinical Research at Menarini.

Particular thanks were extended to all those oncologists and patients who participated in the study.

“The MIMOSA project has been brought forward by Menarini, heads high, with the esteem of the world’s oncological community and has left us with an extraordinary degree of experience and scientific skill which will contribute towards advancing all those ambitious research projects currently on-going”, reassured Carlo Alberto Maggi, Director of Research and Development within the Menarini Group, “the high level of commitment in bringing forward innovative Research projects for the treatment of hereunto unresolved diseases remains unchanged.”