Summary: Genmab and Pepscan announced the start of a research collaboration
aimed at identifying fully human monoclonal antibodies against intractable
disease targets.
Copenhagen, Denmark and Lelystad, NL; March 3, 2008 - Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) and
Pepscan today announced the start of a research collaboration aimed at
identifying fully human monoclonal antibodies against intractable disease
targets. Intractable targets include those that are difficult to address using
commonly available technologies but are highly desirable for targeting with
monoclonal antibodies. These difficulties can for example be due to the fact
that target proteins are buried to a large extent very close to the cell surface
or in the cell membrane or due to poor immunogenicity of the protein or
desirable epitopes.
In the collaboration, Pepscan will use its proprietary CLIPS™ technology to
identify functional mimics of the essential parts of such intractable targets.
These mimics will be used by Genmab to create and select unique therapeutic
antibodies using its fully human monoclonal antibody technology.
“As part of our efforts to expand Genmab's pipeline, we continually evaluate
disease targets which may effectively be addressed with monoclonal antibodies,”
said Lisa N. Drakeman Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. “This research
collaboration with Pepscan will allow us to include in our evaluations a wider
variety of disease targets that may not be easily addressed using standard
treatments.”
Joost van Bree, CEO of Pepscan Therapeutics comments: “monoclonal antibodies
against intractable targets are a significant unmet need. The combination of
Pepscan CLIPS™ protein mimicry platform with Genmab's ability to generate fully
human monoclonals will enable the partners to develop innovative products for
poorly served indications.”
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.
About Pepscan Therapeutics
Pepscan Therapeutics is a product focused immunotherapy company based in the
Netherlands. It has developed a pipeline of therapeutic vaccine and antibody
programs of which the most advanced is in Phase II clinical testing. Pepscan's
proprietary CLIPS™ technology has been proven to yield functional antibodies
reactive with a range of complex proteins, including GPCRs.
About CLIPS™ Technology
Chemically Linked Immunogenic Peptides on Scaffolds (CLIPS™) is a technology to
present one or more peptides in a structurally constrained configuration. These
molecules behave as functional mimics of complex protein domains that serve as
superior immunogens in the induction and selection of antibodies against disease
relevant protein targets. This is especially valuable in the case of proteins
that are inaccessible as recombinant proteins (e.g. GPCRs, ion channels,
patented proteins).
Further information is available at http://www.pepscan.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-IL8(TM); HuMax-TAC(TM); HuMax-HepC(TM); HuMax-CD38(TM);
HuMax-CD32b(TM) and UniBody(R) 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
Investor News No. 04/2008
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