COPENHAGEN, Denmark, September 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today that ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) appeared more effective at inducing complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), an immune system killing mechanism, than rituximab in a pre-clinical study. The CD20 antibodies were incubated with tumor cells and analyzed using Spinning Disk Confocal Fluorescent Microscopy. This technology allows imaging of the effects on target cells induced by therapeutic antibodies in real time. Both antibodies were found to activate CDC and induced profound changes in both shape and appearance of target cells.
Direct comparisons of ofatumumab and rituximab revealed ofatumumab to induce much more rapid and profound CDC and far more impressive cell changes than rituximab. This, furthermore, lead to more effective killing of target cells by ofatumumab.
“This study supports the growing body of pre-clinical research that suggests ofatumumab may be more effective in eliminating target cells and treating diseases such as lymphoid cancers and rheumatoid arthritis than existing therapies,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
These pre-clinical data will be presented in an oral presentation at the XIth European Meeting on Complement in Human Disease, in Cardiff, United Kingdom on September 9, 2007.
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.
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-Inflam(TM); HuMax-TAC(TM); HuMax-HepC(TM); HuMax-CD38(TM); HuMax-ZP3(TM); and UniBody(TM) are all trademarks of Genmab A/S.
Stock Exchange Release no. 37/2007
Genmab A/S
CONTACT: Contact: Helle Husted, Sr. Director, Investor Relations, T:+45-33-44-77-30, E: hth@genmab.com
