Summary: Genmab has announced a new pre-clinical antibody program, HuMax-cMet,
as well as a novel next generation antibody technology.
Copenhagen, Denmark; April 21, 2010 - Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) will announce today
at its Annual General Meeting a new pre-clinical antibody program, HuMax-cMet™,
as well as a novel next generation bispecific antibody technology.
HuMax-cMet is a fully human IgG1 antibody that targets the cMet oncogenic
protein. cMet is the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, which is
over-expressed or shows abnormal activity in a wide variety of solid tumors.
HuMax-cMet may have the potential to treat a variety of solid cancers,
including breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, renal, gastric and
colorectal.
HuMax-cMet was selected from a panel of over 75 unique human antibodies.
HuMax-cMet targets the cMet protein at a unique site, binding strongly and
showing anti-cancer activity in experimental laboratory and animal cancer
models. Preparations for filing an IND to begin clinical trials are ongoing.
Bispecific antibodies combine the ability to bind two targets in a single
molecule. This may result in more precise targeting and increased efficiency of
disease killing mechanisms. Previous generations of bispecific technologies
suffered from manufacturing difficulties and/or instability of bispecific
molecules and also only remained in the body for a very short period of time.
Genmab's novel proprietary bispecific antibody technology results in efficient
generation of the desired type of bispecific antibodies. The new bispecific
antibodies are human, stable and may remain in the body as long as regular
human antibodies, giving the new bispecific antibodies more time to attack
disease.
“We believe HuMax-cMet has great potential as a treatment for cancer. We also
believe this novel antibody technology will further catalyze the development of
novel antibody therapeutic approaches for cancer and other debilitating
diseases,” Said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
About Genmab A/S
Genmab is a leading international biotechnology company focused on developing
fully human antibody therapeutics for the potential treatment of cancer.
Genmab's world class discovery and development teams are using cutting-edge
technology to create and develop products to address unmet medical needs. Our
primary goal is to improve 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 Stock Exchange 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. For a further discussion of these risks, please refer to the
section “Risk Management” in Genmab's Annual Report, which is available on
www.genmab.com. Genmab does not undertake any obligation to update or revise
forward looking statements in this Stock Exchange Release nor to confirm such
statements in relation to actual results, unless required by law.
Genmab®; the Y-shaped Genmab logo®; HuMax®; HuMax-CD20®; HuMax-EGFr™;
HuMax-IL8™; HuMax-TAC™; HuMax-HepC™; HuMax-CD38™; HuMax-CD32b™; HuMax-TF™;
HuMax-Her2™; HuMax-VEGF™, HuMax-Wnt; HuMax-cMet™ and UniBody® are all
trademarks of Genmab A/S. Arzerra™ is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
Contact: Helle Husted, Vice President, Investor Relations
T: +45 33 44 77 30; M: +45 25 27 47 13; E: h.husted@genmab.com
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Stock Exchange No. 13, 2010
