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Human Genome Sciences and Novozymes Announce Amendment to Albumin Fusion License Agreement

11 May 2009 - Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and Novozymes Biopharma, a part of Novozymes, announced that they have amended an existing license agreement to allow both companies to expand application of their proprietary albumin fusion technology.
 
Under the amended agreement, HGS and Novozymes each has the opportunity to exclusively license and/or sublicense a number of albumin fusion proteins in exchange for royalties and other consideration. No existing HGS or Novozymes products or product rights, including rights licensed to other companies, are affected by these amendments. Financial or other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
 
"Genetic fusion of therapeutic proteins to albumin can improve the pharmacology of the proteins, resulting in important benefits to patients," said Barry A. Labinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, HGS. "For example, with certain therapeutic proteins, albumin fusion may make it possible to dose less frequently and reduce side effects associated with injections. We are pleased to work with Novozymes to broaden the application of albumin fusion technology to new classes of proteins and peptides."