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Nov 11, 2013
MacroGenics to Present Pre-Clinical Data on Targeting CD123-Positive Leukemic Stem Cells at the 55th ASH Annual Meeting

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MacroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, today announced that pre-clinical data on targeting CD123-positive leukemic cells with its DART®-based molecule, MGD006, will be featured in an oral presentation at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), taking place in New Orleans on December 7-10, 2013.

The details of the presentation are as follows:

Session: 615. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Antibody-Based Targeted Therapy
Date: December 9, 2013
Time: 11:45 am CST (oral presentation)
Location: La Nouvelle Ballroom C (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center)
Title: Targeting CD123 In Leukemic Stem Cells Using Dual Affinity Re-Targeting Molecules (DARTs)
Presenter: Muneera H. Al-Hussaini, M.D., an investigator from the Division of Hematology & Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Description: The team investigated the ability of a DART constructed from an antibody to CD123 (7G3) and a MacroGenics' proprietary CD3 antibody, MGD006, to redirect T cells against CD123+ AML blasts. 

About MGD006

MacroGenics is developing MGD006 for the treatment of hematologic cancers. MGD006 is a humanized DART molecule that recognizes both CD123 and CD3. CD123, the Interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain, is expressed on leukemia and leukemic stem cells, but not on normal hematopoietic stem cells. The primary mechanism of action of MGD006 is its ability to redirect T cells via their CD3 component to kill CD123-expressing cells, as shown in pre-clinical studies. This product candidate is poised to enter the clinic in the first half of 2014.

About MacroGenics, Inc.

MacroGenics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company generates its pipeline of product candidates from its proprietary suite of next-generation antibody technology platforms, which it believes improve the performance of monoclonal antibodies and antibody-derived molecules. The company creates both differentiated molecules that are directed to novel cancer targets, as well as "bio-betters," which are drugs designed to improve upon marketed medicines. The combination of MacroGenics' technology platforms and antibody engineering expertise has allowed the company to generate promising product candidates and enter into several strategic collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.   www.macrogenics.com

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including statements about the Company's strategy, future operations, clinical development of the Company's therapeutic candidates, milestone or opt-in payments from the Company's collaborators, the Company's anticipated milestones and future expectations and plans and prospects for the Company and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties inherent in the initiation and enrollment of future clinical trials, expectations of expanding ongoing clinical trials, availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the Company's product candidates and other risk factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

CONTACT: Jim Karrels, Vice President, CFO

         MacroGenics, Inc.

         1-301-251-5172, info@macrogenics.com



         Karen Sharma, Director

         MacDougall Biomedical Communications

         1-781-235-3060, ksharma@macbiocom.com

MacroGenics, Inc. logo

Source: MacroGenics, Inc.

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