Roche Files IND For Genmab (GNMSF.PK) Antibody

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genmab A/S (CSE: GEN) announced today that its partner Roche has filed an Investigational New Drug application (IND) with the US Food and Drug Administration for a Genmab antibody developed under the companies' collaboration. This is the ninth milestone Genmab has achieved under the agreement. Genmab will receive a milestone payment from Roche which does not influence Genmab's financial guidance for 2005.

Under the agreement with Roche, Genmab utilizes its broad antibody expertise and development capabilities to create human antibodies to a broad range of disease targets identified by Roche. Roche has a proven successful track record in developing biologicals as innovative new products. Genmab receives milestone and royalty payments based on successful products. In certain circumstances, Genmab may obtain rights to develop products based on disease targets identified by Roche. If all goals are reached, the value of the collaboration to Genmab could be USD 100 million, plus royalties. Roche has selected four Genmab antibodies as clinical candidates and this is the first of the four to enter the clinic.

"This is the sixth Genmab product to enter clinical development," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. "This move to clinical development is a testament to Genmab's antibody discovery skills as well as Roche's skill in identifying valid disease targets."

About Genmab A/S

Genmab A/S is a biotechnology company that creates and develops human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating diseases. Genmab has numerous products in development to treat cancer, infectious disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and intends to continue assembling a broad portfolio of new therapeutic products. At present, Genmab has multiple partnerships to gain access to disease targets and develop novel human antibodies including agreements with Roche, Amgen and Serono. A broad alliance provides Genmab with access to Medarex, Inc.'s array of proprietary technologies, including the UltiMAb(R) platform for the rapid creation and development of human antibodies to virtually any disease target. Genmab has operations in Copenhagen, Denmark, Utrecht, the Netherlands, and Princeton, New Jersey in the US. For more information about Genmab, visit http://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.

UltiMAb(R) is a trademark of Medarex, Inc. Genmab(R); HuMax(R); HuMax-CD4(TM) and the Y-shaped Genmab logo are all trademarks of Genmab A/S.

CONTACT: Helle Husted, Director, Investor Relations of Genmab A/S,+45-33-44-77-30, M: +45-25-27-47-13, hth@genmab.com

Web site: http://www.genmab.com/