COPENHAGEN, Denmark; August 26, 1999 - Genmab A/S announced that it has begun Phase I/II clinical trials at three sites in Denmark with an antibody to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This escalating dose study, which is including patients with severe disease, is testing an antibody that targets a receptor on T-cells, CD4. This receptor is known to play an important role in the inflammatory process that causes rheumatoid arthritis. Genmab's product is designed to interfere with that process. The primary goal of the trial is to develop information about the safety of this new treatment. As the product will also be used to treat patients who have the disease, preliminary efficacy data may be obtained, as well.

This is the first Phase I/II study of an antibody product in Denmark, and Genmab is the first Danish biotechnology company dedicated to developing antibody-based therapeutics. Worldwide, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are making antibodies a top priority. Antibodies represent the largest category of new biologic products in development, and there are currently eight marketed antibody products. Annual sales for these eight products alone are projected to exceed $4 billion by 2003. Furthermore, Genmab is creating its products with the patented HuMAb-Mouse™, the most advanced antibody technology available.

The clinical trial is currently underway at Rigshospitalet, Herlev Hospital, and Hvidovre Hospital, three major university hospitals in Denmark.

"Beginning clinical trials is a major step in the life of any biotechnology company," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. "Millions of people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and new therapies are urgently needed for this debilitating disease."

"The possibility to develop a new treatment based on current knowledge of disease mechanisms is an exciting opportunity," said Dr. Bo Baslund, MD, Ph.D., Principal Investigator for the study.