Genmab A/S has reached the sixth milestone for ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20) under the terms of its collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). A milestone payment of approximately DKK 29 million (approximately USD 5.6 million) was triggered by the first patient receiving treatment in the ofatumumab phase I study in relapsed/refractory follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Japan.
Ofatumumab is an investigational, new generation, human monoclonal antibody that targets a distinct membrane proximal, small loop epitope (specific binding site) of the CD20 molecule on the surface of B-cells.
Ofatumumab is being developed to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis under a co-development and commercialization agreement between Genmab and GlaxoSmithKline. It is not yet approved for sale in any country.