Affitech renews exclusive worldwide phage display license from DKFZ

"Breitling" patents hold key position in human antibody discovery field

11-Apr-2006

Affitech AS, announced that they have renewed an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center) of Heidelberg, Germany for the antibody library display patents, otherwise known as "Breitling" IP family. These patents cover the use of full-length pIII phage protein as a scaffold in a phagemid vector, and are one of the fundamental patents for the phagemid display of antibody, antibody fragments and proteins. As the antibody therapeutic market continues to grow with a record number of candidates moving through pre-clinical and clinical trials, Affitech anticipates that all serious entrants in the antibody field will consider the use of these patents. This is backed by the fact that over the past couple of years, Affitech has successfully negotiated cross-licensing agreements involving Breitling IP with leading antibody companies such as Dyax and XOMA.

The renewed terms provide Affitech the worldwide exclusive license until the expiry of the patents in the respective territories, and include the capability of Affitech to sublicense the IP to any company or organization worldwide. No other terms of the agreement were disclosed.

The DKFZ agreement represents another milestone as Affitech continues to progress towards becoming a product-focused human antibody therapeutics company. Several of its in-house discovered antibodies generated by its pioneering CBAS(TM) (Cell Based Antibody Selection) technology are currently undergoing pre-clinical 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

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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