WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. and VALENCIA, Calif. , May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and MannKind Corporation, (MNKD), today jointly announced the execution of a collaborative research arrangement funded through LLS's Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP).

TAP is an innovative program intended to advance therapies with high prospects of providing near-term benefit to patients suffering from blood cancers. The TAP funding will support MannKind's efforts to develop a novel and highly selective first-in-class targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. This early development work, if successful, will lead to the initiation of IND-enabling studies.

'The sponsorship of LLS will help MannKind to advance its development of a potential new blood cancer treatment,' said Alfred Mann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MannKind. 'I am personally committed to taking innovative approaches to develop effective treatments for unmet medical needs. It is exciting and gratifying to be able to collaborate with a high-caliber organization that recognizes the importance of our research.'

Louis J. DeGennaro, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of LLS, added 'Our partnership with MannKind is another example of LLS's commitment to support a select group of highly motivated, well positioned commercial organizations poised to bring effective therapies to blood cancer patients.'

About MannKind

MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Its pipeline includes Technosphere(R) Insulin, which is currently in phase 3 clinical trials, and MKC253, which is currently in phase 1 clinical trials. Both of these investigational products are being evaluated for their safety and efficacy in the treatment of diabetes. MannKind is also conducting clinical trials of two investigational immunotherapy products in order to evaluate their safety and efficacy in the treatment of different types of cancer. For more information on MannKind Corporation and its technology, visit http://www.mannkindcorp.com.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY , with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada , is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $486 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 4.2 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET .

SOURCE MannKind Corporation