Summary: Genmab reveals that HuMax-Inflam target is IL-8 and future development
will be in cancer and inflammation.
Copenhagen, Denmark; September 13, 2007 - Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today
its fully human HuMax-Inflam(TM) antibody is directed to IL-8 (interleukin-8)
and may have potential application in oncology and inflammation. Genmab will
initially focus on studies to treat glioblastoma, a cancer of the central
nervous system. Other possible indications include chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) and pustular dermatoses. In pre-clinical studies,
HuMax-Inflam has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using
primary human tumors in immunodeficient mice. HuMax-Inflam was also effective
in reducing disease activity in palmoplantar pustulosis patients in a clinical
study.
Genmab is currently preparing an improved commercially viable cell line for
HuMax-Inflam and hopes to start the next phase of clinical trials in 2008.
“Genmab's development plans for HuMax-Inflam have been a closely guarded secret
for several years now and we are happy to announce the solution to the mystery,
which has been much anticipated by the investment community,” said Lisa N.
Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. “We believe that
HuMax-Inflam may have potential to treat patients with glioblastoma, which has
a very low survival rate.”
About HuMax-Inflam and IL-8
HuMax-Inflam is a high affinity fully human IgG1,k antibody directed towards
IL-8. IL-8 is a major mediator of inflammation, a potent chemoattractant for
white blood cells called neutrophils, as well as an important factor in
angiogenesis. HuMax-Inflam effectively blocks binding of IL-8 to neutrophils
and inhibits neutrophils from migrating towards sites of inflammation via a
process known as chemotaxis. HuMax-Inflam also potently inhibits IL-8 induced
neutrophil activation. In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-Inflam has been shown to
inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using primary human tumors in
immunodeficient mice.
Results from a Phase I/II study of HuMax-Inflam in patients with palmoplantar
pustulosis were reported by Genmab and Medarex in December 2004. Fifty-seven
percent (16 of 28) of patients who completed the study achieved a 50% or more
reduction in disease activity at week 8. In a pooled analysis of all dose
groups after 8 weeks, a statistically significant reduction in disease activity
of 56% was seen. In addition to effectively reducing disease activity in study
patients, HuMax-Inflam was also effective at inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis
in fluids sampled from patients and the concentration of HuMax-Inflam in such
fluids increased in parallel with higher treatment doses.
Conference Call
Genmab will hold a conference call about the news today, Thursday September 13,
2007 at:
3:00 PM CEST
2:00 PM BST
9:00 AM EDT
The dial in numbers are as follows:
+1 800 289-0533 (in the US)
+1 913 981-5525 (outside the US)
The conference call will be held in English.
A live webcast of the call will be available at www.genmab.com. The webcast
will also be archived on Genmab's website.
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, M:
+45 25 27 47 13, E: hth@genmab.com
Stock Exchange Release no. 40/2007
###
