Genmab: Tests Show Humax-CD20 "Superior" Cancer Treatment
Monday October 28, 3:20 am ET
COPENHAGEN -(Dow Jones)- Danish biotechnology company Genmab A/S Monday unveiled its HuMax-CD20 program, saying preclinical tests have shown the lead antibody in the program to be "superior" to rival rituximab in the treatment of cancer.
The various antibodies being developed under the HuMax-CD20 program target the CD20 antigen on B-cells, and Genmab said it would initially focus on developing the antibody for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer involving B cells.
The antibody uses a similar mechanism of action to rituximab, which is currently considered an effective treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Genmab said.
But laboratory tests and tests on animals showed the antibody is superior to rituximab in binding to the disease target, and is more efficient at inducing the killing of B-cell targets, the company said.
The antibody also appeared to enhance the clearance of tumor cells, Genmab said.
The company said it would present full data from laboratory studies and animal disease models in Genmab's new program on Feb. 7, 2003, at the Keystone Symposium "Antibody-Based Therapeutics For Cancer," to be held in Banff, Canada.
The company said it also has developed other antibody candidates with different mechanisms of action.
Antibodies targeting CD20 have the potential to treat illnesses such as Crohn's disease and other B-cell Lymphomas, Genmab said.
Company Web site: genmab.dk |
