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Biotech / Medical : Abgenix, Inc. (ABGX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Icebrg who wrote (182)	2/3/2003 10:02:17 AM
From: nigel bates	Respond to of 590

United States Patent 5,993,817 Yoneda , et al. November 30, 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Method to ameliorate osteolysis and metastasis Abstract Materials immunoreactive with parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rp) are used in the invention method to prevent and treat cancer metastasis to bone and cancer cell growth in bone as well as osteolysis and symptomatic sequelae thereof. Antibodies with human characteristics are included in the invention for application of the invention method to human subjects. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Inventors: Yoneda; Toshiyuki (San Antonio, TX); Mundy; Gregory R. (San Antonio, TX); Guise; Theresa A. (San Antonio, TX) Assignee: Xenotech (Foster City, CA) Appl. No.: 386361 Filed: February 9, 1995

To: Icebrg who wrote (182)	3/4/2003 10:36:05 PM
From: Miljenko Zuanic	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 590

Press Release Source: CuraGen Corporation CuraGen Receives FDA Approval to Initiate Clinical Trials Tuesday March 4, 6:30 am ET Potential Oral Mucositis Treatment Marks Successful Transition into Drug Development NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN - News), a genomics-based pharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate clinical trials for CG53135, a potential protein therapeutic being investigated as a treatment for oral mucositis. Oral mucositis is a side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy that results in the degradation of mucosal tissue that can range from redness and irritation to severe ulcerations of the mouth and throat. CuraGen now plans to proceed with a multi-center Phase I clinical trial to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics in patients with cancer who are at risk for mucositis following chemotherapy. ADVERTISEMENT Mucositis is a debilitating complication of cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy that affects the mucosal tissue, which acts as a protective lining within the digestive track, including the mouth and throat. Symptoms range from pain and discomfort to severe ulcerations that limit a patient's ability to ingest nutrients. Mucositis can result in a suppressed immune system that can reduce a patient's ability to tolerate further cancer therapy. Delayed treatment can lessen the effectiveness of the chemotherapy or radiotherapy, adversely impacting the value of the patient's overall treatment regimen. "CG53135 is a novel protein discovered through the application of CuraGen's functional genomic technologies. In preclinical studies, this potential protein therapeutic reduced tissue inflammation and degeneration, and minimized the severity and extent of mucosal tissue damage. Mucositis is a significant unmet medical need, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to advance this promising molecule into human clinical trials," stated Timothy M. Shannon, M.D., Senior Vice President of R&D and Chief Medical Officer of CuraGen Corporation. "Through the filing of this IND, CuraGen has become one of the first genomics companies to successfully transition from a target discovery company into a genomics-based pharmaceutical company. This molecule represents the first of many promising candidates that we believe will emerge from our portfolio of discovery and preclinical stage projects. We are pleased with the progress of this potential therapeutic and look forward to additional future successes," stated Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman, and CEO of CuraGen Corporation. CuraGen Corporation (NASDAQ: CRGN - News) is a genomics-based pharmaceutical company. CuraGen's integrated, functional genomic technologies and Internet-based bioinformatic systems are designed to generate comprehensive information about genes, human genetic variations, gene expression, protein interactions, protein pathways, and potential drugs that affect these pathways. The Company is applying its industrialized genomic technologies, informatics, and validation technologies to develop protein, antibody, and small molecule therapeutics to treat obesity and diabetes, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. CuraGen is headquartered in New Haven, CT and additional information is available at curagen.com .

To: Icebrg who wrote (182)	3/31/2003 6:49:14 AM
From: Icebrg	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 590

Abgenix and Sosei to Codevelop Antibodies against Allergic Inflammation Target Monday March 31, 6:04 am ET FREMONT, Calif., TOKYO and LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2003--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX - News) and Sosei Co., Ltd. announced today an agreement to discover, develop and commercialize fully human monoclonal antibody therapies against a promising allergic inflammation target. The target, CRTH2, is a receptor expressed on human T-helper type cells that are linked to the immune response in certain allergic reactions, such as asthma. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Under terms of the agreement, Abgenix and Sosei will codevelop antibodies against CRTH2 and additional target antigens that may be contributed to the collaboration. The companies intend to share development and manufacturing costs for antibody products advanced by the collaboration. Abgenix will utilize its XenoMouse® technology to generate, screen and characterize human monoclonal antibodies for the alliance. Under the agreement, Abgenix has responsibility for manufacturing monoclonal antibodies for use in clinical trials, and may offer early commercial manufacturing for antibodies stemming from the collaboration. Sosei will be responsible for commercialization in Japan, while Abgenix will lead commercialization of any potential antibody product in the United States. Future profits resulting from the collaboration will be shared equally on a worldwide basis. "This collaboration leverages the full spectrum of our integrated antibody development platform, including state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, to explore a promising target for allergic inflammation," said Ray Withy, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We look forward to applying our discovery, development and production expertise to commercialize antibody therapeutics with Sosei." Shin-Ichi Tamura, president and chief executive officer of Sosei said, "We are pleased to collaborate with Abgenix. Adding human monoclonal antibodies to our R&D pipeline will significantly enhance the value of our business." CRTH2 (chemoattractant receptor-homolog on Th2 cells) is a novel G protein-coupled receptor, which is selectively expressed in Th2 cells including allergen-responsive Th2 cells, eosinophils, basophils, but not Th1 cells. It has been suggested that CRTH2 occupies a pivotal role in development of Th2 type immune responses. Sosei has obtained from BML, Inc., one of the leading diagnostic companies in Japan, worldwide exclusive licenses for therapeutic uses under the patents and know-how relating to CRTH2 and monoclonal antibodies against this target. Antibodies are naturally occurring proteins used by the body's immune system to combat many diseases. As therapeutic products, antibodies have several potential advantages over other therapies. The highly specific interaction between an antibody and its target may, for example, reduce unwanted side effects that may occur with other therapies. Fully human antibodies are desirable because they avoid the risk of rejection present with mouse or partial mouse antibodies. About Sosei Sosei is a leading private Japanese biopharmaceutical company focused on drug development. It enriches the core product pipeline via in-licensing compounds from Western and Japanese companies, by its distinctive drug re-profiling platform (DRP®) and through its internal R&D programs in collaboration with biopharmaceutical companies and universities both in Japan and the West. The company is capitalizing on its extensive global network established over the past 10 years in its successful technology transfer business. Sosei's investors include experienced US/EU funds and Japanese institutional investors. For further information about Sosei, please visit www.sosei.com.