CuraGen and Abgenix announce progress in antibody alliance.CuraGen Corporation (New Haven New Haven, city (1990 pop. 130,474), New Haven co., S Conn., a port of entry where the Quinnipiac and other small rivers enter Long Island Sound; inc. 1784. Firearms and ammunition, clocks and watches, tools, rubber and paper products, and textiles are among the many , CT), a genomics-based pharmaceutical company, and Abgenix, Inc. (Fremont, CA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on antibody therapeutics, announced new developments in their ongoing antibody discovery and development alliance. CuraGen and Abgenix scientists have successfully developed a fully human monoclonal antibody monoclonal antibody, an antibody that is mass produced in the laboratory from a single clone and that recognizes only one antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by fusing a normally short-lived, antibody-producing B cell (see immunity) to a fast-growing , CR002, that is being investigated as a treatment for IgA nephropathy IgA nephropathy Berger's disease, IgA glomerulonephritis Nephrology Idiopathic IgA nephropathy is the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis in the world; primary IN is mediated by immune complexes and defined immunohistochemically by glomerular deposition , a form of glomerulonephritis glomerulonephritis: see nephritis. (kidney inflammation) that may lead to renal failure renal failure n. Acute or chronic malfunction of the kidneys resulting from any of a number of causes, including infection, trauma, toxins, hemodynamic abnormalities, and autoimmune disease, and often resulting in systemic symptoms, especially edema, and the need for dialysis treatments. CuraGen has selected this antibody drug candidate for development and has the right to develop this candidate across all disease areas. In addition, CuraGen is further exploring the utility of this antibody as a treatment for other forms of glomerulonephritis, including nephritis nephritis (nəfrī`təs), inflammation of the kidney. The earliest finding is within the renal capillaries (glomeruli); interstitial edema is typically followed by interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils, and a associated with systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Definition Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus or SLE) is a disease where a person's immune system attacks and injures the body's own organs and tissues. Almost every system of the body can be affected by SLE. and diabetic nephropathy diabetic nephropathy (n  fro´p .
As part of an expansion of the Abgenix and CuraGen antibody drug discovery and development alliance, Abgenix and CuraGen have signed a new agreement under which Abgenix will manufacture CuraGen's CR002 antibody in Abgenix's recently completed antibody production facility. Abgenix also has the right of first offer to manufacture additional antibodies stemming from this alliance. Currently, Abgenix and CuraGen have generated families of fully human monoclonal antibodies This is a list of monoclonal antibodies, antibodies which are clones of a single parent cell. When used as medications, the generic names end in -mab (see "Nomenclature of monoclonal antibodies"). against 28 of CuraGen's antibody drug targets. "Fully human monoclonal antibodies are highly selective treatments that have the ability to attack disease at the underlying mechanistic level, thereby enabling physicians to address previously unmet medical needs. Identifying important unmet medical needs and defining a clear path for clinical development and approval are decisive factors in selecting which of CuraGen's potential therapeutics to advance further into downstream development. We believe that our CR002 antibody clearly meets these standards and is representative of the antibody pipeline currently under development at CuraGen," stated Timothy Shannon, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for CuraGen Corporation. "Manufacturing protein and antibody-based therapeutics requires specialized facilities and expertise. Abgenix has invested significantly in this area as part of our strategy to build an integrated antibody development platform that includes state of the art manufacturing capabilities. We are pleased to have the opportunity to manufacture this antibody on behalf of CuraGen in our new, flexibly designed production facility," stated Raymond M. Withy with·y adj. 1. Made of or as flexible as withes; tough. 2. Wiry and agile. n. pl. with·ies 1. A rope or band made of withes. 2. a. , Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Abgenix. "This agreement also marks an important milestone, as CuraGen becomes the first of our strategic partners to access these new, integrated antibody production capabilities." CuraGen's CR002 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and blocks the active form of PDGF-D, a naturally occurring protein and potent stimulator of mesangial cell Mesangial cells are specialized cells around blood vessels in the kidneys, at the mesangium. They are usually divided into two types, each having a very distinct function and location:
The CR002 antibody may also be used to develop a diagnostic test to accompany the antibody therapeutic. Measuring levels of PDGF-D in the bloodstream may enable physicians to more accurately determine if mesangial cell growth is the underlying cause of glomerulonephritis. By developing a diagnostic test in conjunction with the antibody therapeutic, physicians can use such a test to diagnose the disease with greater certainty and identify those specific patients that would benefit the most from receiving the antibody therapeutic. Producing pharmaceuticals in conjunction with appropriate diagnostic tools is an important step toward developing safer, more effective drugs to treat the most appropriate patients. IgA nephropathy, systemic lupus erythematosus nephropathy nephropathy /ne·phrop·a·thy/ (ne-frop´ah-the) disease of the kidneys.nephropath´ic analgesic nephropathy , and diabetic nephropathy are believed to affect approximately 10 million patients worldwide. Patients can suffer from various degrees of glomerulonephritis that range from needing little or no disease therapy to medical emergencies requiring urgent diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Severe glomerulonephritis can be painful, affects a patient's quality of life, and can lead to dialysis, renal failure, and may ultimately lead to kidney transplantation Kidney Transplantation Definition Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure to remove a healthy, functioning kidney from a living or brain-dead donor and implant it into a patient with non-functioning kidneys. . Currently, there is no adequate treatment for glomerulonephritis and most existing approaches are focused on reducing inflammation and managing the pain associated with the disease. Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human therapeutic antibodies. The company's technology platform, which includes XenoMouse and XenoMax technologies, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to a variety of disease targets. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a diversified product portfolio through the development of its own internal proprietary products and through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies. CuraGen is a genomics-based pharmaceutical company. CuraGen's integrated, functional genomic technologies and Internet-based bioinformatic systems are designed to generate comprehensive information about genes, human genetic variations, gene expression, protein interactions, protein pathways, and potential drugs that affect these pathways. The company is applying its industrialized in·dus·tri·al·ize v. in·dus·tri·al·ized, in·dus·tri·al·iz·ing, in·dus·tri·al·iz·es v.tr. 1. To develop industry in (a country or society, for example). 2. genomic technologies, informatics, and validation technologies to develop protein, antibody, and small molecule therapeutics to treat obesity and diabetes, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and central nervous system disorders Nervous system disorders A satisfactory classification of diseases of the nervous system should include not only the type of reaction (congenital malformation, infection, trauma, neoplasm, vascular diseases, and degenerative, metabolic, toxic, or deficiency . Abgenix, Inc. 1-510-284-6350 www.abgenix.com CuraGen Corporation: 1-888-436-6642 www.curagen.com |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion