Genmab licenses angiogenesis targets from Bionomics

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Feb. 13 - Genmab A/S said it has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to eight proteins with potential utility in cancer and other diseases. The proteins were identified and characterized by Bionomics Ltd. using Bionomics' proprietary Angene angiogenesis platform.

Under the terms of the deal, Bionomics will receive an upfront fee and additional payments for preclinical and clinical milestones. Bionomics will also receive milestone payments and royalties on product sales, according to a company news release.

Bionomics will retain rights to a large number of additional proprietary proteins it has discovered in its angiogenesis program, including the target BNO69 for the treatment of breast cancer.

Angiogenesis is the process whereby tumors recruit new blood vessels in order to grow. The process is involved in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and serious eye diseases, in particular macular degeneration.

"We are pleased to exclusively license these targets from Bionomics, with which we have had an excellent working relationship since early 2002," Genmab chief executive officer Lisa N. Drakeman said in the release.

"We believe that inhibiting angiogenesis bears promise for the development of antibody therapeutic approaches in angiogenesis-related diseases including cancer. These targets enrich and further strengthen Genmab's growing pre-clinical pipeline."

Genmab is a biotechnology company that creates and develops human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating diseases. The company is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Bionomics discovers and develops innovative therapeutics for cancer and diseases of the central nervous system. The company has its headquarters in Adelaide, Australia.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.