Seattle Genetics Establishes Preferred Antibody-Drug Conjugate Manufacturing Relationship with Albany Molecular Research, Inc.
Tuesday July 13, 9:01 am ET
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 2004--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN - News) announced today that it has entered into a preferred provider agreement with Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMRI - News) for manufacturing of its proprietary drug-linker system. The system, comprised of cell-killing drugs and stable linkers, is utilized in Seattle Genetics' antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. The arrangement secures rights for Seattle Genetics' ADC licensees to work directly with AMRI on manufacturing campaigns to obtain cGMP supplies of drug-linker units to support future clinical trials of products utilizing the ADC technology.
"Our expanded relationship with Albany Molecular provides our collaborators with a key component of the supply chain for ADC products they are developing by enabling them to obtain materials produced through an established manufacturing process," stated Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. "Albany Molecular has demonstrated its capabilities in process development, scale-up and manufacturing of synthetic drug-linker systems employed in our industry-leading ADC technology. This arrangement will support the continued work by our collaborators to advance their ADC product programs through development and into clinical trials by providing them with direct access to Albany Molecular's manufacturing expertise."
"We are pleased to extend our partnership with Seattle Genetics in the growing therapeutic area of antibody-drug conjugates by supporting the drug-linker manufacturing campaigns of their licensees," commented Thomas E. D'Ambra, Ph.D., AMRI Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "This agreement is an important strategic initiative for Albany Molecular Research that recognizes our advanced synthesis and cGMP manufacturing capabilities.
Seattle Genetics has licensed its industry-leading ADC technology to Genentech, Celltech Group, Protein Design Labs and CuraGen. The technology is also utilized in Seattle Genetics' SGN-35 and SGN-75 product candidates. ADCs utilize the targeting ability of monoclonal antibodies to deliver potent, cell-killing payloads to specific cells. Seattle Genetics has developed improved ADC technology employing synthetic, highly potent drugs that can be attached to antibodies through proprietary linker systems. The linkers are stable in the bloodstream and release the drug payload once inside target cells, thereby sparing non-target cells many of the toxic effects of traditional chemotherapy. ADCs can increase the therapeutic potential of the many antibodies with targeting ability but no inherent cell-killing activity.
About Seattle Genetics
Seattle Genetics discovers and develops monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics to treat cancer and other human diseases. The company has built a diverse portfolio of product candidates targeted to many types of cancer, including three being tested in multiple ongoing clinical trials, SGN-30, SGN-15 and SGN-40, and three in preclinical development, SGN-35, SGN-75 and SGN-17/19. The product candidates encompass three platform technologies: genetically engineered monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT). Seattle Genetics has developed leading ADC technology comprised of highly potent synthetic drugs and stable linkers for attaching the drugs to monoclonal antibodies. The company currently has license agreements for its ADC technology with Genentech, Celltech Group, Protein Design Labs and CuraGen and for its ADEPT technology with Genencor International. More information about Seattle Genetics can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.
About Albany Molecular Research, Inc.
Albany Molecular Research, Inc. is a leading research, drug discovery, development and manufacturing company built on a chemistry platform of comprehensive and integrated technologies, resources and capabilities. The company conducts research and development with many leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and for its own internal discovery programs, and provides cGMP manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients through its wholly owned subsidiary, Organichem Corporation. For more information, please visit www.albmolecular.com. |
