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02/18/05
-- Genmab A/S (CSE: GEN) announced today additional encouraging duration of
response data from one of its HuMax-CD4 (zanolimumab) Phase II studies
treating patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) a type of cutaneous T-cell
lymphoma (CTCL). Data from all patients in the study showed a median
response duration of more than 45 weeks (10.5 months). Furthermore, analysis
of the time to response showed that 85% of the responding patients (11/13)
obtained clinical response within 8 weeks.
Dose Response
Additionally,
previously released data was analyzed to assess the relation between dose
and the serum concentration of HuMax-CD4 measured immediately before the
next treatment (trough values). Increasing doses of HuMax-CD4 resulted in
increased trough values. Furthermore, a 55% response rate was achieved in
patients reaching lesser than or equal to 10 mu g/ml serum concentration
compared to only 6% (1/16) in patients not reaching this serum level. In the
280 mg dose group, 25% (5/20) were above 10 mu g/ml and a 15% response rate
(3/20 patients) was achieved. In the 560 mg dose group, 93% (13/14) were
above 10 mu g/ml and a 50% response rate (7/14) was obtained. In the 980 mg
group 100% (4/4) were above 10 mu g/ml and a 75% response rate (3/4) was
obtained.
These data
are being presented today by Dr. Y. H. Kim, Professor of Dermatology and
Director, Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic, Stanford University
at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New
Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The poster will subsequently be available on
http://www.genmab.com .
"This latest
set of duration of response data is very encouraging and indicates that
HuMax-CD4 may be effective in treating CTCL patients with mycosis fungoides,
especially at higher doses," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive
Officer of Genmab.
About
HuMax-CD4
HuMax-CD4 is
a high affinity human antibody that targets the CD4 receptor on
T-lymphocytes. Genmab has run two Phase II studies using HuMax-CD4 to treat
CTCL, one in early stage patients and the other for patients with advanced
disease, both of which achieved positive results. Thirty-eight CTCL patients
with MF, the most common form of CTCL, were treated in these studies. Genmab
has US Orphan Drug designation for HuMax-CD4 to treat MF patients and is
making plans for a pivotal study with HuMax-CD4 under an FDA Fast Track
designation for patients who have failed available therapies.
International
Non-proprietary Name (INN)
Zanolimumab
has reached the status of recommended INN which is the international
non-proprietary name (generic name) for HuMax-CD4, as adopted by WHO.
About Genmab
A/S
Genmab
A/S is a biotechnology company that creates and develops human antibodies
for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating diseases. Genmab has
numerous products in development to treat cancer, infectious disease,
rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and intends to
continue assembling a broad portfolio of new therapeutic products. At
present, Genmab has multiple partnerships to gain access to disease targets
and develop novel human antibodies including agreements with Roche and
Amgen. A broad
alliance provides Genmab with access to Medarex, Inc.'s array of proprietary
technologies, including the UltiMAb(TM) platform for the rapid creation and
development of human antibodies to virtually any disease target. Genmab is
headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has operations in Utrecht, The
Netherlands, and Princeton, New Jersey in the US. For more information about
Genmab, 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.
Source: Genmab A/S
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