HUGS Long-Term Vision:
Human Genome Sciences Completes Construction of Antibody Manufacturing Facility Facility Can Also Produce Therapeutic Proteins in Mammalian Cell Systems
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb 21, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI chart, msgs) today announced that construction of a facility for the manufacture of antibody drugs for human clinical trials has been completed. The facility can also be used to produce human therapeutic proteins for clinical trials using mammalian cell cultures.
William A. Haseltine, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Human Genome Sciences, said, "This new facility for the manufacture of antibody drugs for human clinical trials is the keystone of our strategy to become a fully integrated pharmaceutical company that discovers, manufactures and sells human therapeutic proteins and antibody drugs. Over the past 18 months, we have become a leading antibody drug company, as well as a leading therapeutic protein company. We hope to begin human trials of our first human monoclonal antibody drugs this year."
Craig A. Rosen, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Research and Development of HGS, said, "HGS will now have the internal capabilities, to discover, manufacture and test fully human monoclonal antibody drugs. Over the past eighteen months, we acquired both the capacity and the intellectual property rights to discover and manufacture human monoclonal antibody drugs. The facilities, now complete, will allow us to begin clinical trials of these drugs this year."
Dr. Rosen added, "I am pleased that our scientists together with our collaborators have already produced several human monoclonal antibody drug candidates. These include an antibody to B-lymphocyte stimulator, BLyS-mAb, for the treatment of systematic lupus erythematosus and possibly some forms of rheumatoid arthritis; a monoclonal antibody that inhibits Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-2, VEGF-2-mAb, for the treatment of cancer; a monoclonal agonistic antibody to the Trail Receptor, TrailR-mAb, for the treatment of cancer. The VEGF2-mAb is of special interest, as VEGF-2 was recently identified as an important factor in the metastasis of melanoma and breast cancer."
Arthur Mandell, Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer of HGS, said, "HGS is particularly well positioned in the field of human monoclonal antibody drugs. We have acquired virtually unlimited rights to use human monoclonal antibody technology to create novel drugs ourselves. Over the past 18 months we have invested substantial resources into building a new monoclonal antibody discovery group at our Rockville facilities."
Mr. Mandell commented further, "I also would like to mention that although HGS is a relatively new player in the field of monoclonal antibody drugs, we do have a distinct advantage over most other companies in this area. HGS has already identified a very large number of new potential antibody targets as part of our systematic effort to understand genes that comprise the signaling pathway of human cells, tissues and organs. These signals include proteins that are receptors, protein hormones and other proteins found on the surface of cells. The newly discovered genes and their proteins provide HGS with very broad opportunities in the field of monoclonal antibody drugs. Our near-term candidates, BLyS-mAb, VEGF-2-mAb and TrailR-mAb are based on signaling proteins discovered by our scientists."
Steven C. Mayer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HGS, said, "I am pleased that we have been able to finance the new monoclonal antibody and mammalian cell products facility under the same favorable terms as the adjacent 80,000 square foot facility. This 42,000 square foot facility was completed on time and on budget and financed under a favorable long-term lease arrangement with the Maryland Economic Development Corporation. This arrangement provides 100% financing at a very attractive lease rate."
The new HGS manufacturing facilities are located in Rockville, Maryland, immediately adjacent to the existing HGS 80,000 square foot facility that produces cGMP quality human therapeutic proteins in bacterial and yeast systems. Construction of the new antibody and protein facility is complete and validation of this plant is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2001.
Human Genome Sciences is a company with the mission to treat and cure disease by bringing new gene-based drugs to patients.
HGS, Human Genome Sciences and Albuferon are registered trademarks of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. For additional information on Human Genome Sciences, Inc., visit the company's web site at hgsi.com . Copies of HGS press releases are also available by fax 24 hours a day at no charge by calling 800-758-5804, ext. 121115. |
