Genmab declare first patient dosed in study of DuoBody bispecific antibody
Genmab A/S announced that the first participants have been dosed in a clinical study of a DuoBody bispecific antibody under Genmab’s DuoBody technology platform collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen). The phase I study investigates the human bispecific antibody JNJ-61178104, which is directed to two inflammatory disease targets, for potential use in treating autoimmune disorders. Genmab will receive a million milestone payment for the progress in the study.
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The DuoBody collaboration with Janssen has been a productive one marked by rapid progress with a total of 12 programmes activated. Seven clinical candidates have been selected for development by Janssen and three DuoBody programmes are entering the clinic.
“Genmab’s DuoBody platform creates bispecific antibodies that can be directed to two targets at once and we believe the technology has the potential to offer fundamentally new treatment options for certain diseases including inflammatory diseases and cancer. Today’s news marks the first time a DuoBody product has been administered in a clinical study and is a significant step forward for the DuoBody platform and a credit to our scientists who invented this innovative and highly versatile next generation antibody technology,” said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Genmab.
Under the original July 2012 agreement, Janssen has the right to use the DuoBody technology to create panels of bispecific antibodies (up to 10 DuoBody programmes) to multiple disease target combinations. Genmab received an upfront payment of .5 million from Janssen and will potentially be entitled to milestone and license payments of up to approximately 5 million, as well as royalties for each commercialized DuoBody product.
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Under the terms of a December 2013 amendment, Janssen is entitled to work on up to ten additional programs. Genmab received an initial payment of million from Janssen. For each of the ten additional programs that Janssen successfully initiates, develops and commercializes, Genmab will potentially be entitled to receive average milestone and license payments of approximately 1 million. In addition, Genmab will be entitled to royalties on sales of any commercialized products.