Fremont, Calif. and London, Ontario, Canada – March 26, 2001 – Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX), an antibody-based biopharmaceutical company, and Diabetogen Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, announced today the formation of a research collaboration to develop a fully human monoclonal antibody therapy against human antigen CD28 for the treatment of Type I diabetes, and possibly other autoimmune diseases.
Under the terms of the collaboration, Abgenix will use its XenoMouse™ technology to generate fully human antibodies against the CD28 antigen. Both parties will conduct in vitro and in vivo studies of the antibody candidates. Abgenix has an exclusive option to co-develop the antibody product with Diabetogen. The use of anti-CD28 antibodies in the treatment of autoimmune diseases is proprietary to Diabetogen.
"Abgenix is excited to use its XenoMouse technology to create a fully human antibody therapy against the CD28 target," stated R. Scott Greer, President and CEO of Abgenix. "We are pleased to join forces with Diabetogen’s researchers in exploiting an interesting antigen target for prevalent disease conditions such as Type I diabetes."
"We are delighted to collaborate with Abgenix on the development of a fully human anti-CD28 antibody," remarked William A. McGinnis, President and CEO of Diabetogen. "We anticipate that an anti-CD28 antibody will be an exciting novel therapy for Type I diabetes and other autoimmune diseases."
CD28 is an antigen expressed on the surface of T cells of the immune system. In conjunction with other surface proteins, CD28 is responsible for activation of the T cells and regulation of immune responses. Absence of CD28 co-stimulation results in inappropriate activation of the immune system, resulting in the onset of autoimmune diseases such as Type I diabetes. By collaboratively developing an anti-CD28 antibody, Diabetogen and Abgenix intend to re-establish a regulated immune system in diseased individuals.... |
