|
Genmab Discloses Target and Development Plans for HuMax-Inflam |
|
|
|
14 Sep 2007 |
Genmab A/S announced today its fully human HuMax-Inflam™ antibody is directed to IL-8 and may have potential application in oncology and inflammation
COPENHAGEN, Denmark | September 13, 2007 | Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today its fully human HuMax-Inflam™ antibody is directed to IL-8 (interleukin-8) and may have potential application in oncology and inflammation. Genmab will initially focus on studies to treat glioblastoma, a cancer of the central nervous system. Other possible indications include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pustular dermatoses. In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-Inflam has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using primary human tumors in immunodeficient mice. HuMax-Inflam was also effective in reducing disease activity in palmoplantar pustulosis patients in a clinical study.
Genmab is currently preparing an improved commercially viable cell line for HuMax-Inflam and hopes to start the next phase of clinical trials in 2008.
“Genmab’s development plans for HuMax-Inflam have been a closely guarded secret for several years now and we are happy to announce the solution to the mystery, which has been much anticipated by the investment community,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. “We believe that HuMax-Inflam may have potential to treat patients with glioblastoma, which has a very low survival rate.”
About HuMax-Inflam and IL-8
HuMax-Inflam is a high affinity fully human IgG1,κ antibody directed towards IL-8. IL-8 is a major mediator of inflammation, a potent chemoattractant for white blood cells called neutrophils, as well as an important factor in angiogenesis. HuMax-Inflam effectively blocks binding of IL-8 to neutrophils and inhibits neutrophils from migrating towards sites of inflammation via a process known as chemotaxis. HuMax-Inflam also potently inhibits IL-8 induced neutrophil activation. In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-Inflam has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using primary human tumors in immunodeficient mice.
Results from a Phase I/II study of HuMax-Inflam in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis were reported by Genmab and Medarex in December 2004. Fifty-seven percent (16 of 28) of patients who completed the study achieved a 50% or more reduction in disease activity at week 8. In a pooled analysis of all dose groups after 8 weeks, a statistically significant reduction in disease activity of 56% was seen. In addition to effectively reducing disease activity in study patients, HuMax-Inflam was also effective at inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis in fluids sampled from patients and the concentration of HuMax-Inflam in such fluids increased in parallel with higher treatment doses.
SOURCE: GENMAB |
