COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genmab A/S (CSE: GEN) announced today that HuMax(R)-CD38 was effective in killing primary multiple myeloma cells and plasma cell leukemia cells in preclinical studies. HuMax-CD38 is a human IgG1k antibody that targets the CD38 molecule which is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma tumor cells.
HuMax-CD38 was more effective in triggering both Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC) immune system killing mechanisms than a broad array of other human CD38 antibodies when tested on a panel of over 10 primary tumors from multiple myeloma patients, confirming earlier study results. HuMax-CD38 also potently killed tumor cells from a patient with a CD38/138 positive plasma cell leukemia which was refractory to chemotherapy at the time of analysis. Plasma cell leukemia is a manifestation of multiple myeloma in which tumor cells are present in the blood.
Furthermore, HuMax-CD38 effectively prevented the growth of CD38 positive cancer cells in an animal model.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells and accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers. The incidence of multiple myeloma is 5.2 per 100,000 people corresponding to 15,270 new cases in the US in 2004. In the US, approximately 11,000 deaths each year are related to multiple myeloma. At present, no cure is available, and the mean survival is approximately 3 years from time of diagnosis.
“These preclinical studies indicate that HuMax-CD38 may potentially be useful in the treatment of plasma cell leukemia, in addition to multiple myeloma,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. “We are excited by the data and are looking forward to seeing more preclinical results.”
These data are presented today by Dr. Matthias Peipp, Scientist, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany, during the “Multiple Myeloma: Biology and Novel Therapeutic Approaches” poster session at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology. The poster will be available at www.genmab.com.
Conference Call
Genmab will hold a conference call about this news, as well as news from the HuMax-CD20 presentation at ASH, today, Monday, December 12, 2005 at
8:45 p.m. CET 7:45 p.m. GMT 2:45 p.m. EST The dial in numbers are as follows: +1 800-289-0743 (in the US) and ask for the Genmab conference call +1 913-981-5546 (outside the US) and ask for the Genmab conference call The conference call will be held in English. 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 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.
Genmab A/S
CONTACT: Helle Husted, Director, Investor Relations, T: +45 33 44 77 30,or M: +45 25 27 47 13, or hth@genmab.com
Web site: http://www.genmab.com//
