Ono Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd. And Medarex, Inc. Enter Into Second Collaboration For The Development Of A Fully Human Antibody Therapeutic
OSAKA, Japan and PRINCETON, N.J., March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Medarex, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a collaborative agreement to research and develop a fully human anti-SDF-1 antibody for the potential treatment of multiple indications. This is the second antibody development collaboration between Ono and Medarex. Anti-SDF-1 antibodies have been raised utilizing Medarex's UltiMAb Human Antibody Development System(R).
Under this collaboration, Ono and Medarex expect to jointly work toward potential commercialization of a fully human antibody. The two companies plan to share the costs and responsibilities of research and product development up to the completion of a Phase II clinical study. Thereafter, each company will be fully responsible for any continued development and any commercialization in its exclusive territory; Medarex's exclusive territory is North America, and Ono's exclusive territory is all areas outside of North America.
"We are pleased to work with Ono as we continue to develop MDX-1106, our anti-PD1 antibody product candidate, and now for the development of a potential anti-SDF-1 antibody product candidate," said Dr. Donald L. Drakeman, President and CEO of Medarex.
About SDF-1
SDF-1 (Stromal cell-Derived Factor 1) is a member of the chemokine protein family whose members are involved in cell migration. SDF-1 has been implicated in a variety of diseases, and it is anticipated that blocking functions of SDF-1 could lead to uses in multiple therapeutic indications.
About Ono Pharmaceutical
For more information about Ono Pharmaceutical, please visit its website at http://www.ono.co.jp/eng/default.htm.
About Medarex
Medarex is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and potential commercialization of fully human antibody-based therapeutics to treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases, including cancer, inflammation, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. Medarex applies its UltiMAb(R) technology and product development and clinical manufacturing experience to generate, support and potentially commercialize a broad range of fully human antibody product candidates for itself and its partners. Thirty-one of these therapeutic product candidates derived from Medarex technology are in human clinical testing or have had INDs submitted for such trials, with four of the most advanced product candidates currently in Phase III clinical trials. Medarex is committed to building value by developing a diverse pipeline of antibody products to address the world's unmet healthcare needs. For more information about Medarex, visit its website at www.medarex.com.
For Medarex: Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed herein may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "potential"; "believe"; "anticipate"; "intend"; "plan"; "expect"; "estimate"; "could"; "may"; or similar statements are forward-looking statements. Medarex disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include risks associated with product discovery and development, uncertainties related to the outcome of clinical trials, unforeseen safety issues resulting from the administration of antibody products in patients, uncertainties related to product manufacturing as well as risks detailed from time to time in Medarex's public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. There can be no assurance that such development efforts will succeed or that other developed products will receive required regulatory clearance or that, even if such regulatory clearance were received, such products would ultimately achieve commercial success. Copies of Medarex's public disclosure filings are available from its investor relations department.
Medarex(R), the Medarex logo, UltiMAb Human Antibody Development System(R) and UltiMAb(R) are registered trademarks of Medarex, Inc. All rights are reserved.
Medarex, Inc.CONTACT: Medarex, Inc.: Laura S. Choi, Investor Relations,+1-609-430-2880, x2216, or Jean Mantuano, Corporate Communications (media),+1-609-430-2880, x2221; or Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Public Relations,+81-6-6263-5670, Fax: +81-6-6263-2950
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