Genmab Announces Pipeline and Technology Update
April 21 2010 - 5:01AM
Summary: Genmab has announced a new pre-clinical antibody program,
HuMax-cMet, as well as a novel next generation antibody technology.
Genmab A/S (Copenhagen:GEN) will announce today at its Annual
General Meeting a new pre-clinical antibody program, HuMax-cMet,as
well as a novel next generation bispecific antibody technology.
HuMax-cMet is a fully human IgG1 antibody that targets the cMet
oncogenicprotein. cMet is the receptor for hepatocyte growth
factor, which is over-expressed or shows abnormal activity in a
wide variety of solid tumors. HuMax-cMet may have the potential to
treat a variety of solid cancers,including breast, lung,
pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, renal, gastric andcolorectal.
HuMax-cMet was selected from a panel of over 75 unique human
antibodies. HuMax-cMet targets the cMet protein at a unique site,
binding strongly and showing anti-cancer activity in experimental
laboratory and animal cancer models. Preparations for filing an IND
to begin clinical trials are ongoing.
Bispecific antibodies combine the ability to bind two targets in
a single molecule. This may result in more precise targeting and
increased efficiency of disease killing mechanisms. Previous
generations of bispecific technologies suffered from manufacturing
difficulties and/or instability of bispecific molecules and also
only remained in the body for a very short period of time. Genmab's
novel proprietary bispecific antibody technology results in
efficient generation of the desired type of bispecific antibodies.
The new bispecific antibodies are human, stable and may remain in
the body as long as regular human antibodies, giving the new
bispecific antibodies more time to attack disease.
"We believe HuMax-cMet has great potential as a treatment for
cancer. We also believe this novel antibody technology will further
catalyze the development of novel antibody therapeutic approaches
for cancer and other debilitating diseases," Said Lisa N. Drakeman,
Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
About Genmab A/S
Genmab is a leading international biotechnology company focused
on developing fully human antibody therapeutics for the potential
treatment of cancer. Genmab's world class discovery and development
teams are using cutting-edge technology to create and develop
products to address unmet medical needs. Our primary goal is to
improve the lives of patients who are in urgent need of new
treatment options. For more information on Genmab's products and
technology, visit www.genmab.com.
This Stock Exchange Release contains forward looking statements.
The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend" and "plan"
and similar expressions identify forward looking statements. Actual
results or performance may differ materially from any future
results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. The
important factors that could cause our actual results or
performance to differ materially include, among others, risks
associated with product discovery and development, uncertainties
related to the outcome and conduct of clinical trials including
unforeseen safety issues, uncertainties related to product
manufacturing, the lack of market acceptance of our products, our
inability to manage growth, the competitive environment in relation
to our business area and markets, our inability to attract and
retain suitably qualified personnel, the unenforceability or lack
of protection of our patents and proprietary rights, our
relationships with affiliated entities, changes and developments in
technology which may render our products obsolete, and other
factors. For a further discussion of these risks, please refer to
the section "Risk Management" in Genmab's Annual Report, which is
available onwww.genmab.com. Genmab does not undertake any
obligation to update or revise forward looking statements in this
Stock Exchange Release nor to confirm such statements in relation
to actual results, unless required by law.
Genmab(R); the Y-shaped Genmab logo(R); HuMax(R); HuMax-CD20(R);
HuMax-EGFr;HuMax-IL8; HuMax-TAC; HuMax-HepC; HuMax-CD38;
HuMax-CD32b; HuMax-TF;HuMax-Her2; HuMax-VEGF, HuMax-Wnt; HuMax-cMet
and UniBody(R) are all trademarks of Genmab A/S. Arzerra is a
trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
Stock Exchange No. 13, 2010
CONTACT: Genmab A/S
Helle Husted, Vice President, Investor Relations
+45 33 44 77 30
Mobile: +45 25 27 47 13
h.husted@genmab.com