Monday January 10, 6:54 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Genzyme Transgenics Corporation and Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Genzyme Transgenics Corporation and Alexion
Pharmaceuticals Inc. Sign Agreement for Transgenic
Collaboration
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Genzyme Transgenics Corporation (Nasdaq:
GZTC - news) and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN - news) announced today that they have signed an
agreement to produce a recombinant protein using GTC's transgenic manufacturing system. Under this agreement, Genzyme
Transgenics will work with Alexion to develop a large scale manufacturing approach for one of Alexion's recombinant protein
products.
''Our alliance with Alexion affirms the value of transgenic production in the development and potential commercialization of
protein therapeutics,'' said Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Genzyme Transgenics.
''We are pleased to initiate this relationship with Alexion, a partner who shares our commitment to provide innovative new
therapies for unmet medical needs.''
In the first phase of this program, Genzyme Transgenics will develop transgenic animals that produce the recombinant protein in
their milk, for which Genzyme Transgenics will receive development and milestone fees from Alexion. Depending on results of
the development and clinical programs, it is expected that the companies would enter into supply agreements for clinical and
commercial production.
''In concert with the expanded breadth of our development programs, we are pleased to be working with Genzyme
Transgenics on this project,'' said David Keiser, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Alexion. ''We look
forward to gaining important benefits that this technology can offer for high volume, low cost protein production.''
Genzyme Transgenics Corporation has successfully produced over 60 human proteins in animals' milk, including monoclonal
antibodies, immunoglobulin fusion proteins, hard-to-express and plasma proteins, achieving higher expression and at greater
volume than can be obtained using alternate production systems. Genzyme Transgenics is currently working with recognized
leaders in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, like Alexion Pharmaceuticals, to produce transgenic proteins as
potential treatments for a variety of diseases, such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and
HIV/AIDS.
Genzyme Transgenics Corporation applies transgenic technology to enable the development and production of recombinant
proteins and monoclonal antibodies for medical uses. Primedica Corporation, Genzyme Transgenics' contract research
organization, provides preclinical development and testing services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and other
companies. Genzyme Transgenics Corporation is also developing idiotypic vaccines in collaboration with the National Cancer
Institute.
Alexion is engaged in the development of products for the treatment of cardiovascular, autoimmune and neurologic diseases
caused by undesired effects of the human immune system. Alexion's two lead product candidates are currently in six clinical
development programs- 5G1.1-SC, in a Phase IIb cardiopulmonary bypass efficacy trial and two Phase II myocardial
infarction efficacy trials in collaboration with Procter & Gamble; and 5G1.1, in Phase II efficacy trials for the chronic treatment
of rheumatoid arthritis and membranous nephritis.
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause such differences include,
but are not limited to, those discussed in Genzyme Transgenics Corporation's prospectuses and Forms 10-K and Alexion's
prospectuses and Forms 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the uncertainties associated
with product development, the risk that clinical trials will not commence when planned, the risks that a product will not prove to
be safe and effective and uncertainties associated with dependence upon the actions of government and regulatory agencies,
including, without limitation, the risk that such regulators will not grant the requisite approval for a product on a timely basis or
at all.
SOURCE: Genzyme Transgenics Corporation and Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
