Genmab and ACE BioSciences to Develop Product to Treat Fungal Infections

Genmab and ACE BioSciences have identified the first target in their joint development collaboration

21-Nov-2003

Genmab A/S and privately held ACE BioSciences A/S announced that they will develop an antibody therapeutic product with the potential to treat fungal infections. The antibody will be directed against a novel target on Aspergillus fumigatus. This fungus can cause life threatening infections in patients whose immune systems are compromised, for example cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

The target discovered by ACE BioSciences is the first in the collaboration between Genmab and ACE BioSciences that covers four commercially promising disease targets in the area of infectious diseases. Under the agreement, ACE BioSciences provides novel commercially promising disease targets and Genmab provides human antibody technology to create and develop new antibody products. The two companies share development costs and commercial rights equally.

"After only two years of operation ACE BioSciences has found and validated a significant number of novel protein targets for new treatments of Aspergillus fumigatus," said Ejvind Mortz, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ACE BioSciences'. "With Genmab we have chosen a promising novel protein target for which Genmab will use their expertise in developing human antibodies for treatment of aspergillosis."

"ACE BioSciences's target discovery skills and Genmab's antibody development capabilities are an ideal combination for discovery and development of antibody based treatments for infectious diseases," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. "Fungal infections are becoming an increasingly urgent health threat and, despite not being adequately treated, currently represent a multi-billion dollar market."

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous