Xoma is a provider of monoclonal antibody technology to several
biotechs.
It seems that the GNE agreement was based on this type of expertise.
The last press release mentioned "xoma's scalable manufacturing
process" they have the ability for large production in place,
GNE should take into account building a new facility vs taking a proven
facility already at work, FDA inspected, and all that that take lots of
time and resources. Outsourcing this work to xoma is cheaper, payments
vs rayalties it looks like Xoma is in good position here.
Maybe GNE scientists do have the ability to generate the ideas and
patents in the field, and some manufacturing ability for limited
research in the monoclonal antibody area.
GNE big facilities are in recombinant DNA expresion for protein production
in yeast, like the process for their growth hormone, TPA (competitor of
Bpi in the future, or combination ?) and Pulmozyne (the best for cystic
fibrosi patients in decades, combination with BPI?,) they already are
marketing to the Cystic fibrosis patients fully.
Pulmozyme is recombinant dornase (DNAse)alfa to get rid of heavy mucous
plugs from the lungs of the cystic fibrosis sufferer, but it does not get
rid of bacteria, Bpi will. Another recent product in the field coming is
TOBI (a version of the tobramycin antibiotic). |
