PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BioWa, Inc. announced today that MedImmune, Inc. has licensed BioWa’s POTELLIGENT(TM) technology for use in researching and developing select MedImmune antibodies for potential therapeutic applications that require enhancement of antibody- dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
“We are delighted that MedImmune, a recognized biotechnology leader, has decided to use our POTELLIGENT(TM) technology as a method for maximizing the potential of therapeutic antibodies,” said Dr. Nobuo Hanai, BioWa President and CEO. “We believe that this collaboration with MedImmune highlights the potential advantages of our ADCC-enhancing technology and furthers BioWa’s goal to bring about safe and more effective treatments for cancer and other life-threatening and debilitating diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreement, BioWa will provide MedImmune with non- exclusive commercial rights to use the technology to enhance ADCC in developing antibodies for multiple targets. In return, BioWa will receive technology access fees, and may receive milestone payments and royalties on products developed by MedImmune. Additional terms were not disclosed.
About POTELLIGENT(TM) Technology
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity is an important function of the human immune system, whereby immune cells can kill target cells, e.g. cancer cells. Several anti-cancer therapeutic antibodies that are on the market today have ADCC activity as one of their mechanisms for the killing of tumor cells. Enhancement of this activity is one promising approach in the next generation of antibody technologies.
POTELLIGENT(TM) technology involves the reduction of the amount of fucose in the carbohydrate structure of an antibody using a proprietary fucosyltransferase-knockout CHO cell line as a production cell. Research shows that POTELLIGENT(TM) technology significantly enhances ADCC activity of an antibody in vitro, thereby increasing the potency and efficacy of such antibody in vivo.
About BioWa, Inc.
BioWa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading pharmaceutical and largest biotech company, and is the exclusive worldwide licensor of POTELLIGENT(TM) technology, which creates high ADCC monoclonal antibodies. Currently, BioWa is developing ADCC enhanced monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics to fight cancer and other life- threatening and debilitating diseases and both BioWa and Kyowa have POTELLIGENT(TM) antibody products in various clinical stages. BioWa creates and develops enhanced ADCC antibodies for itself and others, offering a full range of antibody discovery and development capabilities. For more information about BioWa, visit its web site at http://www.biowa.com.
POTELLIGENT(TM) is the trademark of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
About MedImmune
MedImmune strives to provide better medicines to patients, new medical options for physicians, rewarding careers to employees, and increased value to shareholders. Dedicated to advancing science and medicine to help people live better lives, the company is focused on the areas of infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. With more than 2,000 employees worldwide, MedImmune is headquartered in Maryland. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.medimmune.com.
This announcement contains, in addition to historical information, certain “forward-looking statements” regarding MedImmune’s monoclonal antibody development programs. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change current expectations and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. In addition to risks and uncertainties discussed in MedImmune’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, no assurance exists that development efforts will succeed, that the antibodies will receive required regulatory approval or that, even if regulatory approval is received, the antibody products will be commercially successful. MedImmune undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
BioWa, Inc.
CONTACT: BioWa, Inc.: Media: Nobuo Hanai, Ph.D., President & CEO,+1-609-580-7500, x 7501; or Investors: Martina Molsbergen, BusinessDevelopment, +1-609-580-7500, x 7506
