Protein Design Labs Inc (PDL) and Igeneon AG, a European biotech company focused on cancer immunotherapies, announced that Igeneon has licensed from PDL a humanized monoclonal antibody under an option agreement signed by the companies in 2000. Igeneon will receive exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market the antibody while PDL will receive an upfront fee, milestone payments and royalties on any product sales generated by the antibody.

The molecule covered under the agreement is HuABL364 (IGN311), a humanized antibody against the Lewis Y antigen. It is the humanized version of mouse antibody ABL364, which was humanized by PDL and later licensed from Sandoz, now Novartis AG, in 1993.

Douglas O. Ebersole, acting Chief Executive Officer, PDL, said, "We fully expect that Igeneon will advance this antibody into clinical development in the near future. We are pleased that another PDL antibody is anticipated to enter the clinic and look forward to Igeneon's development of this novel antibody in epithelial cancers."

Hans Loibner, Chief Executive Officer, Igeneon, said: "We believe IGN311 is a highly promising, broadly applicable candidate for passive cancer immunotherapy and a perfect strategic addition to our cancer vaccine projects. This license agreement with PDL is a further step in our strategy of building a balanced product portfolio."