Summary: Genmab announces ofatumumab appeared more effective than rituximab in a
pre-clinical study.
Copenhagen, Denmark; September 7, 2007 - Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today
that ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) appeared more effective at inducing complement
dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), an immune system killing mechanism, than rituximab
in a pre-clinical study. The CD20 antibodies were incubated with tumor cells
and analyzed using Spinning Disk Confocal Fluorescent Microscopy. This
technology allows imaging of the effects on target cells induced by therapeutic
antibodies in real time. Both antibodies were found to activate CDC and induced
profound changes in both shape and appearance of target cells.
Direct comparisons of ofatumumab and rituximab revealed ofatumumab to induce
much more rapid and profound CDC and far more impressive cell changes than
rituximab. This, furthermore, lead to more effective killing of target cells by
ofatumumab.
“This study supports the growing body of pre-clinical research that suggests
ofatumumab may be more effective in eliminating target cells and treating
diseases such as lymphoid cancers and rheumatoid arthritis than existing
therapies,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
These pre-clinical data will be presented in an oral presentation at the XIth
European Meeting on Complement in Human Disease, in Cardiff, United Kingdom on
September 9, 2007.
About Genmab A/S
Genmab is a leading international biotechnology company focused on developing
fully human antibody therapeutics for unmet medical needs. Using unique,
cutting-edge antibody technology, Genmab's world class discovery and development
teams have created and developed an extensive pipeline of products for potential
treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
As Genmab advances towards a commercial future, we remain committed to our
primary goal of improving 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 press 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. Genmab is
not under an obligation to up-date statements regarding the future following the
publication of this release; nor to confirm such statements in relation to
actual results, unless this is required by law.
Genmab(R); the Y-shaped Genmab logo(R); HuMax(R); HuMax-CD4(R); HuMax-CD20(R);
HuMax-EGFr(TM); HuMax-Inflam(TM); HuMax-TAC(TM); HuMax-HepC(TM); HuMax-CD38(TM);
HuMax-ZP3(TM); and UniBody(TM) are all trademarks of Genmab A/S.
Contact: Helle Husted, Sr. Director, Investor Relations, T: +45 33 44 77 30,
E: hth@genmab.com
Stock Exchange Release no. 37/2007
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