COPENHAGEN, Denmark and LELYSTAD, Netherlands, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genmab A/S 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(TM) 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(TM) 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 http://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(TM) technology has been proven to yield functional antibodies reactive with a range of complex proteins, including GPCRs.
About CLIPS(TM) Technology
Chemically Linked Immunogenic Peptides on Scaffolds (CLIPS(TM)) 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
Genmab Forward Looking Statement
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: Contact for Genmab: Helle Husted, Sr. Director, Investor
Relations, T: +45-33-44-77-30; M: +45-25-27-47-13; E: hth@genmab.com;
Contact for Pepscan: Peter van Dijken, CCO, Pepscan Therapeutics, T:
+31-320-237200, E: info@pepscan.com
