San Francisco, Calif, May 18, 2011 – Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today announced that
new Phase 2 clinical data for NKTR-102, Nektar’s lead oncology candidate being evaluated in multiple
cancer indications, have been selected for presentation at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), being held June 3-7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The data
presentations at ASCO 2011 will highlight the anti-tumor activity of NKTR-102 in patients with
metastatic breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. In addition, a separate presentation will
be made on the population pharmacokinetics for NKTR-102.
“The NKTR-102 clinical data we will report at ASCO continue to support the robust clinical benefit and
significant anti-tumor activity we have observed to date in our clinical studies with this promising anti-
cancer agent,” said Lorianne Masuoka, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Nektar.
“These findings strongly support our continued development of NKTR-102 in multiple tumor settings.”
Details for the poster discussion session and general poster presentations are below and the full
abstracts are now available on the ASCO website at
NKTR-102 Data Presentations at ASCO 2011:
- Anti-tumor activity in a randomized phase II study comparing two schedules of NKTR-102 in
patients (Pts) with pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Abstract #1034, Poster Board #24
Poster Discussion Session: Breast Cancer - Triple-negative/Cytotoxics/Local Therapy
Session Date and Time: Saturday, June 4, 2011, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Central Time
Location: E450b
- The role of NKTR-102 in women with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer and failure on
pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD).
Abstract #5047, Poster Board #15C
General Poster Session: Gynecologic Cancer
Session Date and Time: Sunday, June 5, 2011, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Central Time
Location: Hall A
- Population pharmacokinetics of NKTR-102, a topoisomerase I inhibitor-polymer conjugate, in
patients with advanced solid tumors.
Abstract #2598, Poster Board: #8E
General Poster Session: Developmental Therapeutics - Clinical Pharmacology and
Immunotherapy
Session Date and Time: Monday, June 6, 2011, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Central Time
Location: Hall A
Details on May 18th
Release of ASCO Annual Meeting Abstracts
The Annual Meeting abstracts featuring NKTR-102 are now available on These
abstracts were submitted to ASCO in January 2011 and have not incorporated any new data generated
since that time. The latest and most up-to-date clinical data will be delivered during the investigators’
presentations at the Annual Meeting itself, at the dates and times listed above.
Nektar to Webcast Breakfast Event at 2011 ASCO Meeting
Nektar will hold an investor, analyst and media webcast on Monday, June 6, 2011 from 7:30 am – 8:30
am CDT. The event will feature a presentation from Nektar management and a panel discussion with
leading oncology experts, including NKTR-102 clinical investigators. The webcast may be accessed
live from the home page of Nektar’s website at Dial-in information will be provided
on the website as well. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on Nektar’s website as soon
as possible following the conclusion of the event and will be available through June 30, 2011.
About NKTR-102
Nektar is developing NKTR-102, a next-generation topoisomerase I inhibitor, with reduced peak
concentrations and a continuous concentration profile. NKTR-102 was invented by Nektar using its
advanced polymer conjugate technology platform, and is the first oncology product candidate to
leverage Nektar's releasable polymer technology platform. Phase 2 studies with NKTR-102 have been
conducted in both platinum-refractory/resistant ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer. In
addition, NKTR-102 is also being tested as a single agent in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with
second-line colorectal cancer and a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating NKTR-102 in combination with 5-
FU based therapy.
About Nektar
Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics based on its
PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugation technology platforms. Nektar has a robust R&D pipeline
of potentially high-value therapeutics in oncology, pain and other areas. In the area of pain, Nektar has
an exclusive worldwide license agreement with AstraZeneca for NKTR-118, an investigational drug
candidate, being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical studies as a once-daily, oral tablet for the treatment of
opioid-induced constipation. The agreement also includes NKTR-119, an earlier stage development
program that is a co-formulation of NKTR-118 and an opioid. NKTR-181, a novel mu-opioid analgesic
molecule, is being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical studies. In oncology, NKTR-102, a novel
topoisomerase I-inhibitor, is being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of breast,
ovarian and colorectal cancers. NKTR-105, a novel anti-mitotic agent, is in a Phase 1 clinical study in
cancer patients with refractory solid tumors.
Nektar's technology has enabled seven approved products in the U.S. or Europe through partnerships
with leading biopharmaceutical companies, including UCB's Cimzia® for Crohn's disease and
rheumatoid arthritis, Roche's PEGASYS® for hepatitis C and Amgen's Neulasta® for neutropenia.
Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional R&D operations in Huntsville,
Alabama and Hyderabad, India. Further information about the company and its drug development
programs and capabilities may be found online at
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views regarding NKTR-102 and certain other drug candidates in Nektar’s pipeline. These forward-looking
statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: (i) Nektar's product
candidates and those of its collaboration partners are in various stages of clinical development and the
risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage prior to regulatory approval for numerous
reasons including safety and efficacy findings even after positive findings in preclinical and clinical
studies; (ii) the timing of the commencement or end of clinical trials and the successful commercial
launch of our drug candidates may be delayed or unsuccessful due to slower than anticipated patient
enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, regulatory delay, evolving
regulatory requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in
ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (iii) scientific discovery of
new medical breakthroughs is an inherently uncertain process and the future success of the application
of Nektar's technology platform to potential new drug candidates is therefore highly uncertain and
unpredictable and one or more research and development programs could fail; (iv) Nektar's patent
applications for its proprietary or partner product candidates may not issue, patents that have issued
may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required in
the future; (v) the outcome of any future intellectual property or other litigation related to Nektar's
proprietary product candidates or complex commercial agreements; and (vi) certain other important
risks and uncertainties set forth in Nektar's Annual Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011. Actual results could differ materially from the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Nektar undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Nektar Investor Inquiries:
Jennifer Ruddock/Nektar Therapeutics (415) 482-5585
Susan Noonan/SA Noonan Communications, LLC (212) 966-3650
Nektar Media Inquiries:
Karen Bergman/BCC Partners (650) 575-1509