GENMAB/IMMUNEX TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP CANCER ANTIBODY.Genmab A/S (CSE (Certified Systems Engineer) See Microsoft certification. : GEN and Neuer Markt: GE9D), Copenhagen, Denmark, has entered a new collaborative agreement with Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNX) to discover and develop a fully human antibody against a proprietary Immunex cancer target. Initially, this new antibody is expected be used to treat lymphoma. Under the terms of the collaboration, Genmab will be responsible for creating the antibody, to be called HuMax-Lymphoma, and for developing it through Phase II clinical trials. Immunex retains an exclusive option for the product through Phase II. Should Immunex exercise its option, Immunex would complete the clinical development of HuMax-Lymphoma and would pay Genmab a license fee, milestones and share profits upon commercialization. Alternately, Genmab will retain the right to continue to develop and potentially commercialize the antibody and would pay milestone fees and royalties to Immunex. HuMax-Lymphoma will target the IL-15 receptor, which is covered by a broad Immunex patent estate. This receptor is found on a number of tumor types, including T cell and Natural Killer cell natural killer cell n. Abbr. NK cell A killer cell that is activated by double-stranded RNA and fights off viral infections and tumors. lymphomas, as well as multiple myeloma multiple myeloma A malignant proliferation of abnormal plasma cells that populate the marrow-containing bones of the body. The affected plasma cells produce myeloma protein, a monoclonal antibody that replaces normal antibodies in the blood, thereby increasing susceptibility . The cytokine Cytokine Any of a group of soluble proteins that are released by a cell to send messages which are delivered to the same cell (autocrine), an adjacent cell (paracrine), or a distant cell (endocrine). IL-15 contributes to cell growth and proliferation and helps prevent programed cell death (apoptosis). Blocking tumor receptors for IL-15 with HuMax-Lymphoma has the potential to result in very specifically targeted anti-cancer therapy. HuMax-Lymphoma will be the second product to result from the Immunex-Genmab collaboration. The first product, HuMax-IL15 to treat rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing connective-tissue inflammation, mostly in synovial joints. It can occur at any age, is more common in women, and has an unpredictable course. , is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials. "Genmab is delighted to expand its work with Immunex," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D. "We are also hopeful that HuMax-Lymphoma will bring a much needed new cancer treatment to the many thousands of patients suffering from these aggressive forms of cancer ." About Genmab A/S Genmab A/S is a biotechnology company that creates and develops fully human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating de·bil·i·tat·ing adj. Causing a loss of strength or energy. Debilitating Weakening, or reducing the strength of. Mentioned in: Stress Reduction diseases. Genmab has numerous products in development to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and intends to assemble a broad portfolio of new therapeutic products arising from research into the human genome The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is composed of 24 distinct pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomal + X + Y) with a total of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs containing an estimated 20,000–25,000 genes. . At present, Genmab's commercial opportunities are based upon research conducted at leading international companies, including Roche, Immunex Corporation, Oxford GlycoSciences Ltd., Medarex, Inc., deCODE Genetics deCODE genetics, Inc. (Íslensk erfðagreining in Icelandic) NASDAQ: DCGN is a biopharmaceutical company based in Reykjavík, Iceland. The company was founded in 1996 to identify human genes associated with common diseases using population studies, and apply the , Sequenom, Inc., Eos Biotechnology Inc., and Glaucus Proteomics B.V., as well as in its own laboratories. A broad alliance provides Genmab with access to Medarex's array of proprietary technologies, including the UltiMAb platform for the rapid creation and development of fully human antibodies to virtually any disease target. For more information, http://visit www.genmab.com. |
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