LEIDEN, Netherlands, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Crucell N.V. (Nasdaq: CRXL - news; Euronext Amsterdam: CRXL) today announced the issuance of a United States Patent regarding its MAbstract(TM) technology. The patent entitled ``Phage Antibodies'' was issued as US patent 6,265,150. The patent relates to a subtractive procedure to rapidly obtain human antibodies against known and novel surface antigens in their native configuration, expressed on phenotypically defined subpopulations of cells. Importantly, this approach does not depend on immunization procedures or the necessity to repeatedly construct phage antibody libraries.
One of the inventors of the patent is Dr. Ton Logtenberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Crucell, as well as a member of the faculty at the University Medical Center, Utrecht.
``MAbstract(TM) enables the identification of targets which are typically overlooked by traditional genomics and proteomics approaches,'' said Ton Logtenberg, CSO of Crucell. ``MAbstract(TM) has the unique ability to both identify and validate targets as well as to generate fully human antibodies. MAbstract(TM) is based on phage antibody-display libraries, subtraction and selection technology and antibody engineering technologies.''
``The recent agreement with Centocor, Inc., for the development and commercialization of CD46-specific human antibodies for the treatment of cancer is a commercial example of the value of this technology,'' said Dinko Valerio, CEO of Crucell. ``MAbstract(TM)'s unique capabilities and integrated approach in target discovery, validation and antibody generation will allow Crucell to rapidly and cost-effectively expand its product pipeline.''... |
