ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI - News) announced today a license agreement with the Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd., under which the two companies will collaborate on the development and commercialization of agonistic human monoclonal antibodies to TRAIL Receptor-2. Under the terms of the agreement, Human Genome Sciences and Kirin will work together to identify and optimize the best candidate to enter into clinical development. Kirin will develop and commercialize any resulting drug in Japan and Asia/Australasia. Human Genome Sciences will develop and commercialize any resulting drug in North America, Europe, and the rest of the world.
According to the terms of the agreement, Kirin will pay milestone payments and royalties to Human Genome Sciences for any TRAIL-R2 mAb product that is developed and marketed in Japan and Asia/Australasia. Human Genome Sciences will pay royalties to Kirin for any product based on the Kirin TRAIL-R2 mAb that is developed and marketed in Europe, North America and the rest of the world.
The TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor apoptosis-inducing ligand) Receptor-1 and TRAIL Receptor-2 proteins were discovered by Human Genome Sciences. TRAIL Receptor-2 human monoclonal antibody (TRAIL-R2 mAb) specifically recognizes the TRAIL Receptor-2 protein, found on the surface of a number of solid tumor and hematopoietic cancer cells. Binding of TRAIL-R2 mAb to TRAIL Receptor-2 triggers cell death.(1, 2) TRAIL-R2 mAb mimics the activity of native TRAIL and is therefore considered an agonistic antibody. Unlike native TRAIL, TRAIL-R2 mAb does not bind to the surface proteins DcR1 and DcR2 or the soluble receptor osteoprotegerin. TRAIL binds to these proteins, but such binding does not trigger cell death.(3)
William A. Haseltine, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Human Genome Sciences, said, "We are pleased that we will be working with Kirin to develop and commercialize an agonistic human monoclonal antibody to TRAIL Receptor-2 in Japan and Asia/Australasia. We are also pleased that we will now have the opportunity to study the Kirin antibodies to TRAIL Receptor-2 alongside our own antibody to determine the optimal drug candidate to enter into clinical trials and, hopefully, to develop and commercialize worldwide. The results of preclinical studies suggest that an agonistic antibody to TRAIL Receptor-2 is an attractive candidate for the treatment of cancer.(1, 2) We look forward to completing the preclinical development of TRAIL-R2 mAb, and to entering this promising antitumor drug candidate into clinical trials."
For additional information on Human Genome Sciences, please visit our web site at hgsi.com.
The Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd., is focused on the development of new products in areas including cancer and hematopoietic disease. Kirin is an established leader in the development and sales of pharmaceutical products in Asia. |
