Genzyme Molecular Oncology and Kirin Form Partnership to Develop Antibody Therapeutics
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Genzyme Molecular Oncology (Nasdaq: GZMO - news) and Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. of Japan today announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize fully human monoclonal antibodies to be used as therapies in the areas of antiangiogenesis and vascular targeted cancer drug delivery. Product candidates will be generated using Genzyme Molecular Oncology's portfolio of proprietary tumor endothelial markers (TEMS) as targets.
Under the collaboration agreement, Genzyme Molecular Oncology will receive a $2 million up-front payment along with committed funding to fully support the research program for two years. In addition, Genzyme Molecular Oncology will receive milestone payments from Kirin upon satisfaction of certain research milestones during the two-year research period. During this research period, Genzyme Molecular Oncology will validate a select group of the TEMS and Kirin will generate fully human antibodies to the validated markers using its KM Mouse(TM) technology. For antibody products that both parties agree to move forward, the parties will equally share development expenses and worldwide profits. Additional financial terms were not disclosed.
Marketing rights to the antibodies will be split between the two parties, with Genzyme Molecular Oncology receiving exclusive rights to North America and Kirin obtaining rights in Asia. Genzyme Molecular Oncology will be the primary marketing party in Europe with Kirin granted an option for co- promotion. Kirin will also receive rights to develop and market in Asia small molecule drugs targeting those TEMS selected under the research program as antibody targets. Genzyme Molecular Oncology will retain all other small molecule rights worldwide.
``We are very excited about this first partnership around the TEMS, which we believe have tremendous potential across a wide range of cancers,'' stated Gail Maderis, president of Genzyme Molecular Oncology. ``Kirin is an ideal partner that brings complementary experience in cancer drug development and antiangiogenic research, in addition to being a leader in human antibody generation. Furthermore, we have structured the collaboration to leverage each of our development capabilities and geographic marketing strengths.''
``We are enthusiastic about our new collaboration with Genzyme Molecular Oncology,'' stated Katsuhiko Asano, Ph. D., President of Kirin's Pharmaceutical Division. ``The combination of both companies' technologies offers exciting possibilities to address many therapeutic needs. We believe that Kirin's expertise in generating fully human antibodies using the KM Mouse(TM) should allow us to discover new drugs to treat and cure a wide variety of solid tumors.''
Researchers at The Johns Hopkins University last year identified 46 genes that are preferentially expressed in tumor blood vessels. The researchers identified these genes using Genzyme Molecular Oncology's patented SAGE(TM) gene expression profiling tool. A subset of these genes which are cell surface markers will serve as the targets for antibody products developed through the collaboration.
Because all tumors need a blood supply to survive and grow, antibody targeting could have wide utility. Initial research at The Johns Hopkins University and Genzyme Molecular Oncology suggests that the TEMS are expressed in the vasculature of a wide range of both primary and metastatic tumors. For TEMS that are essential to blood vessel growth, blocking the TEMS with an antibody could inhibit angiogenesis. Antibodies to the TEMS could also be used for targeted drug delivery to the tumor site. Linking -- or conjugating -- the antibody to a chemical or radioactive toxin could provide a targeted cytotoxic therapy applicable to a broad range of cancers. In addition, antibodies to the TEMS could be useful as diagnostic imaging agents.
Kirin will contribute its novel TransChromo (TC) Mouse(TM) technology, including the KM Mouse(TM), a new crossbred mouse developed by Kirin and Medarex, Inc., to the multi-year agreement. Kirin's TC Mouse technology is a transchromosomic mouse system that is genetically engineered to contain 100% of the human genes for making antibodies. In the TC Mouse, the mouse genes relating to antibodies have been replaced with human chromosomes responsible for making human antibodies. These types of human monoclonal antibodies are desirable because they avoid the risk of rejection present with non-human monoclonal antibodies.
About Genzyme Molecular Oncology
Genzyme Molecular Oncology utilizes its powerful proprietary functional genomics and antigen discovery technology platforms to develop novel cancer products focused on cancer vaccines and angiogenesis inhibitors and to generate partnering revenue. It is shaping these new therapies through the integration of its genomics, gene and cell therapy, small-molecule drug discovery, and protein therapeutic capabilities. Genzyme Molecular Oncology is a division of Genzyme Corporation. For more information on Genzyme Molecular Oncology, please visit its website at genzymemolecular oncology.com.
About Kirin
The Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin applies it knowledge of biotechnology to the development of advanced pharmaceutical products in the field of renal diseases, cancer and hematological diseases, and immunological and allergy- related diseases. Kirin's recombinant DNA-based ESPO® (erythropoietin) and GRAN® (G-CSF), co-developed with Amgen, have annual sales exceeding $400 million in Asia. For more information about the company and TC Mouse technology, please visit its website at kirin.co.jp and tcmouse.com. |
