Genzyme Molecular Oncology (Nasdaq: GZMO)
and the ATIII LLC, a joint venture between
Genzyme Transgenics Corp. (Nasdaq: GZTC) and
Genzyme General (Nasdaq: GENZ), announced
today that they have signed a letter of intent to
develop and commercialize the angiogenesis
inhibitor protein aaATIII as a potential treatment for
cancer.
Genzyme Molecular Oncology and the ATIII LLC
have agreed to equally share in the development
costs of an aaATIII cancer therapy and equally
share in any profits from a successful oncology
product created through the collaboration. The ATIII
LLC will have the rights to develop aaATIII for
potential non-oncologic indications. Each member of
the collaboration will bring its respective expertise
and/or resources to the partnership. Additional
details were not disclosed.
aaATIII, a modified form of antithrombin III (ATIII),
is the previously undisclosed antiangiogenesis
protein discovered in Dr. Judah Folkman's
laboratory and exclusively licensed by Genzyme
Molecular Oncology from Children's Hospital in
February 1999. Results of Dr. Folkman's preclinical
studies of aaATIII, which detail its ability to inhibit
angiogenesis in mice, are published in today's issue
of Science (see companion press release) .
Angiogenesis is the proliferation of new blood
vessels essential for the survival and growth of
most human cells, including tumor cells.
Angiogenesis inhibitors like aaATIII target the blood
supply to tumor cells. By cutting off this blood
supply, angiogenesis inhibitors have the potential to
shrink tumors and prevent them from growing and
spreading to other parts of the body.
"This collaboration is an excellent example of the
leverage we have as part of the Genzyme family,"
said Gail Maderis, president, Genzyme Molecular
Oncology. "By providing ample material supply,
protein characterization experience, and program
funding, the development collaboration significantly
strengthens our chances of successfully developing
an aaATIII cancer product. Pending successful
completion of replication and preclinical studies, the
collaboration could file its IND for aaATIII clinical
trials as early as 2000."
Suzanne Groet, general manager of the ATIII LLC
said, "The LLC is pleased to work with Genzyme
Molecular Oncology in the development of aaATIII.
We look forward to applying our nearly a decade of
experience with transgenic ATIII to this
antiangiogenic form of the protein and expanding
our program to include this indication. The LLC is
uniquely positioned to optimize the development of
aaATIII as a potential cancer product."
Over the next few months, Genzyme will conduct
studies to replicate the work of Dr. Folkman's
laboratory, conduct other preclinical studies, and
scale-up production of the protein. Because of the
LLC's experience producing ATIII transgenically,
ample quantities of aaATIII are expected to be
available for use in development efforts. aaATIII is
already being produced for preclinical studies and
the ATIII LLC supplied aaATIII to Dr. Folkman's
laboratory for some of the preclinical studies
detailed in the Science publication.
In December 1997, Genzyme Transgenics and
Genzyme General established the ATIII LLC as a
joint venture for the development of therapeutic
indications of recombinant human antithrombin III.
The ATIII LLC is currently conducting phase III
clinical trials of human recombinant antithrombin III
to assess its ability to effectively anticoagulate
heparin-resistant patients undergoing elective
cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.
Genzyme Transgenics currently produces
recombinant human antithrombin III in the milk of
goats at its 350 acre farm in central
Massachusetts. |
