Genmab A/S has regained all rights to the HuMax-CD4 (zanolimumab) antibody from Merck Serono S.A. Genmab plans to continue moving development of HuMax-CD4 forward in the existing non-cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma clinical programmes and expand development into earlier stage patients in combination with PUVA as well as other combinations with approved therapies for CTCL.
In addition, Genmab is making plans to develop a UniBody targeting the CD4 receptor. HuMax-CD4 binds the CD4 molecule with very high affinity and effectively blocked and neutralized infection of a broad panel of HIV-1 viruses isolated from infected individuals. Laboratory studies in an immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model, where animals were reconstituted with human blood cells, showed HuMax-CD4 to effectively block HIV-1 replication and reduce depletion of CD4+ T-cells by the virus. A UniBody targeting CD4 represents a promising drug candidate that may prevent or slow HIV-1 infection and AIDS and spare T-cells.
Worldwide rights to HuMax-CD4 were previously licensed to Merck Serono S.A. in August 2005. Regaining rights to HuMax-CD4 will not influence Genmab's financial guidance for 2007.
"We are very enthusiastic about having HuMax-CD4 back in the hands of Genmab's experienced clinical development team who will work diligently to move the program forward. HuMax-CD4 is a nice fit with the rest of Genmab's pipeline and may provide us with an additional commercial opportunity to move the company forward into the sales and marketing arena," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Genmab. "If we ultimately build a sales force for HuMax-CD20, we would be in a position for this same sales force to market HuMax-CD4."
Genmab A/S is a biotechnology company that creates and develops human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating diseases. Genmab has numerous products in development to treat cancer, infectious disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and intends to continue assembling a broad portfolio of new therapeutic products.