Abgenix And Diabetogen Sign Second Agreement To Develop Antibody Therapy Against Autoimmune Disease
Fremont, Calif. and London, Ontario, Canada - Abgenix, Inc., an antibody-based biopharmaceutical company, and Diabetogen Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, announced today the execution of a research collaboration, option and license agreement to discover and develop a fully human monoclonal antibody therapy against an undisclosed antigen for the treatment of autoimmune disease. This agreement represents a second collaboration between the companies and is independent of the prior agreement executed in March 2001.
Under the terms of the second collaboration, Abgenix will use its XenoMouse™ technology to generate fully human antibodies against the new antigen supplied by Diabetogen. Abgenix will receive an upfront research license fee, and could receive additional license and milestone payments, and royalties on any future product sales by Diabetogen. Diabetogen will be responsible for product development, manufacturing and commercialization of any product developed through the collaboration.
“Abgenix is excited to expand its relationship with Diabetogen,” stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. “Diabetogen is the 12th collaborator to expand their access to our XenoMouse technology.”
“Abgenix has proven to be a valued partner for Diabetogen,” remarked William A. McGinnis, president and CEO of Diabetogen. “We look forward to this expanded relationship.”
Autoimmune diseases are a broad category of clinical indications that include Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, etc. These conditions are caused when the human body fails to recognize its own tissues and attacks them through the immune system. In general, patients suffering from autoimmune disease are diagnosed using antibodies and activated immune cells against the relevant human tissue or organ.
Abgenix’s proprietary XenoMouse™ is a transgenic mouse strain possessing an immune system in which the mouse antibody-producing genes have been inactivated and functionally replaced by most of the human antibody-producing genes. Upon immunization, XenoMouse generates fully human, high- affinity monoclonal antibodies that bind with high specificity to antigens of diverse structures, including human antigens. Within two to four months, XenoMouse produces multiple antibodies from which to choose an optimal candidate for development.
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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
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
