Genmab Files IND for HuMax-CD20 to Treat Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
19 Décembre 2003 - 1:56PM
PR Newswire (US)
Genmab Files IND for HuMax-CD20 to Treat Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, December 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary: Genmab Is
Filing an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) in the US and
a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) in England Today to Start an
Open Label Phase I/II Clinical Trial Using HuMax-CD20 to Treat
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Genmab A/S (CSE: GEN) announced that it is
filing an IND today in the US and a CTA in England to start an open
label Phase I/II clinical trial using HuMax-CD20 in patients with
relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma is
the second most common lymphoma in US and Europe, accounting for
11% to 35% of all non- Hodgkin's lymphoma. The trial is expected to
include 40 patients, and will be a dose escalation study. Patients
will receive 4 weekly doses of either 300, 500, 700 or 1000mg of
HuMax-CD20 with a total of 10 patients treated at each dose level.
The primary objective will be to assess the safety and the efficacy
of HuMax-CD20. "HuMax-CD20 has performed well in a variety of
pre-clinical tests," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive
Officer of Genmab. "We are very happy with the progress made to
date and are eager to advance HuMax-CD20 to Phase I/II clinical
trials." About HuMax-CD20 HuMax-CD20 is a human antibody which is
effective at binding to the disease target, and releases only very
slowly from the target over time. In February 2003, Genmab
presented data from pre-clinical laboratory tests showing
HuMax-CD20 appeared to kill tumour cells that were resistant to
rituximab, a marketed cancer therapy. The data showed the antibody
highly effective in inducing complement mediated cytotoxicity (cell
destruction) of B-cell tumours. Subsequently, Genmab has collected
data that appears to show HuMax-CD20 is also effective in inducing
Natural Killer cell- mediated cytotoxicity of B-cell tumours.
Further, in a 92 day primate study, HuMax-CD20 effectively depleted
B-cells from blood and lymph nodes. In this study, HuMax-CD20
appeared to deplete B- cells for a period of time that was four
times longer than rituximab. In another study it was found that
HuMax-CD20 binds to a unique site on CD20 target cells when
compared to other known CD20 antibodies. This is a distinguishing
characteristic of HuMax-CD20 and may help explain why HuMax-CD20
has outperformed other CD20 antibodies in a variety of pre-clinical
studies. Furthermore, in a novel cancer disease model in
immuno-compromised mice using sensitive bio-luminescence imaging,
new data show that HuMax-CD20 appears to stop growth of B-cell
tumours grown from a laboratory cell line far more effectively than
either placebo, or a marketed treatment, rituximab. About CD20 The
CD20 antigen is a transmembrane protein on pre-B and mature B
lymphocytes. CD20 appears to act as a calcium ion channel, and to
regulate early steps in B lymphocyte activation. The molecule is
not shed from the cell surface, and is not internalized upon
antibody binding. CD20 is found on over 90% of B-cell lymphomas, as
well as other lymphoid tumors of B-cell origin. 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, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory
conditions, and intends to assemble a broad portfolio of new
therapeutic products arising from research into the human genome.
At present, Genmab has multiple partnerships to gain access to
disease targets and develop novel human antibodies including
agreements with Roche and Amgen. A broad alliance provides Genmab
with access to Medarex, Inc.'s array of proprietary technologies,
including the UltiMAb(TM) platform for the rapid creation and
development of human antibodies to virtually any disease target.
Genmab is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and has operations
in Utrecht, The Netherlands and Princeton, New Jersey in the US.
For more information about Genmab, visit www.genmab.com. Except for
the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in
this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such statements, e.g.
unforeseen exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations, delayed or
unsuccessful development projects. Statements that are not
historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or
that include the words "believes"; "anticipates"; "plans";
"expects"; "estimates"; or similar statements are forward-looking
statements. 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. DATASOURCE: Genmab A/S Contact: Sisse P.
Hansen, Investor & Public Relations of Genmab A/S, T: +45 33 44
77 76, M: +45 25 27 47 27, E: sha@genmab.com
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