Genmab introduces new pre-clinical antibody program and novel bispecific antibody technology

Summary: Genmab has announced a new pre-clinical antibody program, HuMax-cMet, as well as a novel next generation antibody technology.

Genmab A/S (Copenhagen:GEN) will announce today at its Annual General Meeting a new pre-clinical antibody program, HuMax-cMet,as well as a novel next generation bispecific antibody technology.

HuMax-cMet is a fully human IgG1 antibody that targets the cMet oncogenicprotein. cMet is the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, which is over-expressed or shows abnormal activity in a wide variety of solid tumors. HuMax-cMet may have the potential to treat a variety of solid cancers,including breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, renal, gastric andcolorectal.

HuMax-cMet was selected from a panel of over 75 unique human antibodies. HuMax-cMet targets the cMet protein at a unique site, binding strongly and showing anti-cancer activity in experimental laboratory and animal cancer models. Preparations for filing an IND to begin clinical trials are ongoing.

Bispecific antibodies combine the ability to bind two targets in a single molecule. This may result in more precise targeting and increased efficiency of disease killing mechanisms. Previous generations of bispecific technologies suffered from manufacturing difficulties and/or instability of bispecific molecules and also only remained in the body for a very short period of time. Genmab's novel proprietary bispecific antibody technology results in efficient generation of the desired type of bispecific antibodies. The new bispecific antibodies are human, stable and may remain in the body as long as regular human antibodies, giving the new bispecific antibodies more time to attack disease.

"We believe HuMax-cMet has great potential as a treatment for cancer. We also believe this novel antibody technology will further catalyze the development of novel antibody therapeutic approaches for cancer and other debilitating diseases," Said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.