Genmab A/S - Company Announcement: Novel Insights into HuMax-EGFr Mechanisms of Action Published in PNAS
15/04/2008 23:37
PR Newswire
COPENHAGEN, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary: Genmab has announced that HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) inhibits
epidermal growth factor receptor signaling by locking epidermal growth factor
receptor (EGFr) molecules into a very compact, inactive conformation. The
flexibility of the EGFr is central to its role in signaling, and binding of
HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) results in effective inhibition of cancer cell
growth.
Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today new insights showing that
HuMax-EGFr(TM) (zalutumumab) locks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr)
molecules into a very compact, inactive conformation. The flexibility of the
EGFr is central to its role in signaling, and binding of HuMax-EGFr
(zalutumumab) results in effective inhibition of cancer cell growth.
As EGFr activity plays an important role in many cancers, targeting it
with HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) should make it especially difficult for cancer
cells to grow, multiply, and survive.
By using an electron microscope based technique, called protein
tomography, the structural rearrangement accompanying inhibition of
individual EGFr molecules was studied. Biochemical analyses showed that
HuMax-EGFr binds bivalently to the EGFr and, furthermore, was shown to
prevent receptor dimerization and to severely limit intermolecular
flexibility of EGFr molecules.
"These new insights point out that HuMax-EGFr may employ at least three
distinct mechanisms of action leading to inhibition of cancer cell growth.
HuMax-EGFr is able to induce potent immune system defense activity known as
ADCC, block growth factor binding to EGF receptors, and we now established
that HuMax-EGFr inhibits EGFR activation by limiting receptor flexibility.
This new data further underlines the potential of HuMax-EGFr for treatment of
solid cancers," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of
Genmab.
These new findings will be published in the journal Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) in the
edition published on April 15, 2008.
About Genmab A/S
Genmab is a leading international biotechnology company focused on
developing fully human antibody therapeutics for unmet medical needs. Using
cutting-edge antibody technology, Genmab's world class discovery, development
and manufacturing teams have created and developed an extensive pipeline of
products for potential treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer
and autoimmune disorders. As Genmab advances towards a commercial future, we
remain committed to our primary goal of improving the lives of patients who
are in urgent need of new treatment options. For more information on
Genmab's products and technology, visit http://www.genmab.com.
This press release contains forward looking statements. The words
"believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend" and "plan" and similar
expressions identify forward looking statements. Actual results or
performance may differ materially from any future results or performance
expressed or implied by such statements. The important factors that could
cause our actual results or performance to differ materially include, among
others, risks associated with product discovery and development,
uncertainties related to the outcome and conduct of clinical trials including
unforeseen safety issues, uncertainties related to product manufacturing, the
lack of market acceptance of our products, our inability to manage growth,
the competitive environment in relation to our business area and markets, our
inability to attract and retain suitably qualified personnel, the
unenforceability or lack of protection of our patents and proprietary rights,
our relationships with affiliated entities, changes and developments in
technology which may render our products obsolete, and other factors. Genmab
is not under an obligation to up-date statements regarding the future
following the publication of this release; nor to confirm such statements in
relation to actual results, unless this is required by law.
Genmab(R); the Y-shaped Genmab logo(R); HuMax(R); HuMax-CD4(R);
HuMax-CD20(R); HuMax-EGFr(TM); HuMax-IL8(TM); HuMax-TAC(TM); HuMax-HepC(TM);
HuMax-CD38(TM); HuMax-CD32b(TM) and UniBody(R) are all trademarks of Genmab
A/S.
Contact: Helle Husted, Sr. Director, Investor Relations,
T: +45-33-44-77-30, M: +45-25-27-47-13, E: hth@genmab.com
Contact: Helle Husted, Sr. Director, Investor Relations, T: +45-33-44-77-30, M: +45-25-27-47-13, E: hth@genmab.com