COPENHAGEN, September 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today its fully human HuMax-Inflam(TM) antibody is directed to IL-8 (interleukin-8) and may have potential application in oncology and inflammation. Genmab will initially focus on studies to treat glioblastoma, a cancer of the central nervous system. Other possible indications include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pustular dermatoses. In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-Inflam has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using primary human tumors in immunodeficient mice. HuMax-Inflam was also effective in reducing disease activity in palmoplantar pustulosis patients in a clinical study.
Genmab is currently preparing an improved commercially viable cell line for HuMax-Inflam and hopes to start the next phase of clinical trials in 2008.
“Genmab’s development plans for HuMax-Inflam have been a closely guarded secret for several years now and we are happy to announce the solution to the mystery, which has been much anticipated by the investment community,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. “We believe that HuMax-Inflam may have potential to treat patients with glioblastoma, which has a very low survival rate.”
About HuMax-Inflam and IL-8
HuMax-Inflam is a high affinity fully human IgG1,k antibody directed towards IL-8. IL-8 is a major mediator of inflammation, a potent chemoattractant for white blood cells called neutrophils, as well as an important factor in angiogenesis. HuMax-Inflam effectively blocks binding of IL-8 to neutrophils and inhibits neutrophils from migrating towards sites of inflammation via a process known as chemotaxis. HuMax-Inflam also potently inhibits IL-8 induced neutrophil activation. In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-Inflam has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using primary human tumors in immunodeficient mice.
Results from a Phase I/II study of HuMax-Inflam in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis were reported by Genmab and Medarex in December 2004. Fifty-seven percent (16 of 28) of patients who completed the study achieved a 50% or more reduction in disease activity at week 8. In a pooled analysis of all dose groups after 8 weeks, a statistically significant reduction in disease activity of 56% was seen. In addition to effectively reducing disease activity in study patients, HuMax-Inflam was also effective at inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis in fluids sampled from patients and the concentration of HuMax-Inflam in such fluids increased in parallel with higher treatment doses.
Conference Call Genmab will hold a conference call about the news today, Thursday September 13, 2007 at: 3:00 PM CEST 2:00 PM BST 9:00 AM EDT The dial in numbers are as follows: (+1)-800-289-0533 (in the US) +1-913-981-5525 (outside the US) The conference call will be held in English. A live webcast of the call will be available at http://www.genmab.com. The webcast will also be archived on Genmab’s website.
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.
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.
Genmab A/S
CONTACT: Contact: Helle Husted, Sr. Director, Investor Relations, T:+45-33-44-77-30, M: +45-25-27-4713, E: hth@genmab.com
