MedImmune, Inc. has licensed worldwide rights from GlaxoSmithKline to develop certain anti-staphylococcal monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The program includes BSYX-A110, which is in Phase 2 clinical development for the prevention of serious bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus in low-birthweight infants. MedImmune will be responsible for future research and development of BSYX-A110 and any resulting second-generation MAbs as well as all future sales and marketing activities worldwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, MedImmune will pay GSK an upfront payment upon signing as well as potential milestone payments and royalties on future marketed products. MedImmune has also assumed responsibility for future milestone and royalty payment obligations to Biosynexus, from which GSK originally licensed the BSYX-A110 antibody and related rights in 2002. Biosynexus may continue to provide scientific input regarding future R&D activities for the program, said a company release here.

"Adding BSYX-A110 into the pipeline provides an opportunity for us to leverage MedImmune's clinical, regulatory and commercial experience in the development of monoclonal antibodies in paediatrics," said Edward M. Connor, executive vice president and chief medical officer. "BSYX-A110 is targeted against Staphylococcus, including coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CONS), which is a leading cause of bloodstream infections among infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)," he added.

BSYX-A110 is a monoclonal antibody in development for the prevention of staphylococcal infections in premature infants. BSYX-A110 binds to staphylococci and promotes ingestion and destruction of the bacteria.

According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 43,000 infants weighing less than 1,250 grams at birth were born in 2001. These low- birthweight infants are particularly susceptible to hospital-acquired infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus. Among infants in the NICU, hospital-acquired infection rates range from six to 25 percent. Reports in medical literature suggest that CONS increases an infant's hospital stay by 20 to 40 days at an additional cost of $60,000 to $200,000.