Genmab A/S - Company Announcement: Novel Insights Into HuMax-EGFr Mechanisms Of Action Published In PNAS

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Endocrinology;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 16 Apr 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Summary: Genmab has announced that HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signaling by locking epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) molecules into a very compact, inactive conformation. The flexibility of the EGFr is central to its role in signaling, and binding of HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) results in effective inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced new insights showing that HuMax-EGFr(TM) (zalutumumab) locks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) molecules into a very compact, inactive conformation. The flexibility of the EGFr is central to its role in signaling, and binding of HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) results in effective inhibition of cancer cell growth.

As EGFr activity plays an important role in many cancers, targeting it with HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) should make it especially difficult for cancer cells to grow, multiply, and survive.

By using an electron microscope based technique, called protein tomography, the structural rearrangement accompanying inhibition of individual EGFr molecules was studied. Biochemical analyses showed that HuMax-EGFr binds bivalently to the EGFr and, furthermore, was shown to prevent receptor dimerization and to severely limit intermolecular flexibility of EGFr molecules.

"These new insights point out that HuMax-EGFr may employ at least three distinct mechanisms of action leading to inhibition of cancer cell growth. HuMax-EGFr is able to induce potent immune system defense activity known as ADCC, block growth factor binding to EGF receptors, and we now established that HuMax-EGFr inhibits EGFR activation by limiting receptor flexibility. This new data further underlines the potential of HuMax-EGFr for treatment of solid cancers." said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

These new findings will be published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) in the edition published on April 15, 2008.

About Genmab A/S

Genmab is a leading international biotechnology company focused on developing fully human antibody therapeutics for unmet medical needs. Using cutting-edge antibody technology, Genmab's world class discovery, development and manufacturing teams have created and developed an extensive pipeline of products for potential treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders. As Genmab advances towards a commercial future, we remain committed to our primary goal of improving the lives of patients who are in urgent need of new treatment options. For more information on Genmab's products and technology, visit http://www.genmab.com.

This press release contains forward looking statements. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend" and "plan" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements. Actual results or performance may differ materially from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. The important factors that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially include, among others, risks associated with product discovery and development, uncertainties related to the outcome and conduct of clinical trials including unforeseen safety issues, uncertainties related to product manufacturing, the lack of market acceptance of our products, our inability to manage growth, the competitive environment in relation to our business area and markets, our inability to attract and retain suitably qualified personnel, the unenforceability or lack of protection of our patents and proprietary rights, our relationships with affiliated entities, changes and developments in technology which may render our products obsolete, and other factors. Genmab is not under an obligation to up-date statements regarding the future following the publication of this release; nor to confirm such statements in relation to actual results, unless this is required by law.

Genmab(R); the Y-shaped Genmab logo(R); HuMax(R); HuMax-CD4(R); HuMax-CD20(R); HuMax-EGFr(TM); HuMax-IL8(TM); HuMax-TAC(TM); HuMax-HepC(TM); HuMax-CD38(TM); HuMax-CD32b(TM) and UniBody(R) are all trademarks of Genmab A/S.

Genmab A/S
http://www.genmab.com