Genzyme Transgenics and Abgenix Sign Agreement for Transgenic Antibody Production
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Genzyme Transgenics Corporation (``GTC'') (Nasdaq: GZTC - news) and Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX - news) announced today that they have signed an agreement to produce Abgenix' fully human monoclonal antibody, ABX-IL8, using GTC's manufacturing system. Under the terms of the agreement, in exchange for undisclosed fees and milestone payments, Genzyme Transgenics will develop transgenic goats that express ABX-IL8 in their milk. ABX-IL8 is currently in Phase II clinical trials for psoriasis.
``We are especially pleased to announce this agreement for the transgenic production of ABX-IL8, a fully human antibody generated with Abgenix' XenoMouse(TM) technology,'' said Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, M.D., president and CEO of Genzyme Transgenics. ``This relationship demonstrates the complementary nature of Abgenix' and GTC's technologies. We are pleased to have Abgenix as a new partner for the production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. GTC, along with eight partners, is now developing transgenic versions of 11 antibody/Ig fusion molecules in goats.''
``We believe that there are several potential medical applications for ABX-IL8, representing a significant market opportunity,'' said R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. ``The ABX-IL8 program has advanced to the stage where we need to begin planning for commercial production. We see GTC's exciting transgenic production technology as a potential alternative or supplement to traditional cell culture manufacturing.''
The Abgenix and GTC technologies, both of which involve transgenic animals, are complementary. Abgenix generates numerous fully human antibodies to a given target using its XenoMouse strain of transgenic mice. From this pool of different antibodies, Abgenix then selects the optimal antibody and its corresponding gene for product development. GTC, with its proprietary technology, can engineer the gene encoding the selected antibody into transgenic goats that will produce the antibody in their milk. The antibody is then purified from the goat's milk. With a small herd of such transgenic goats, sufficient antibody could theoretically be produced to meet even large market needs.
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. Genzyme Transgenics is currently working with recognized leaders in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to produce transgenic proteins as potential treatments for a variety of diseases, such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS. Genzyme Transgenics applies
transgenic technology to enable the development and production of recombinant proteins particularly 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.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The companies' actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the companies' filings 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 and uncertainties associated with dependence upon the actions of government regulatory agencies and when planned, the risks that products that appeared promising in early clinical trials do not demonstrate efficacy in larger-scale clinical trials.
Additional information on Abgenix, Inc. is available at abgenix.com.
Additional information on Genzyme Transgenics Corporation is available at transgenics.com.
SOURCE: Genzyme Transgenics Corporation |
