Press Center » Archived News Releases » 2000
Cambridge, UK and Copenhagen, Denmark; December 6, 2000 -
Gemini Genomics plc (Nasdaq: GMNI) and Genmab A/S (CSE:GEN and Neuer
Markt:GE09) announced today that they have entered into a collaboration to
develop new antibody therapeutic products. The collaboration will utilize
novel disease targets discovered by Gemini along with Genmab's fully
human antibody technology to create and develop new products. The companies
will focus on several therapeutic areas, including osteoporosis,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
This is a multi-target alliance and Gemini has already identified an initial
group of disease targets using its unique genomics capabilities. This
alliance combines Gemini's comprehensive clinical and genetic resources
with its leading edge bioinformatics systems and Genmab's technologies to
develop antibody based drugs and diagnostics. Genmab will use its fully human
antibody technology in combination with its broad antibody development
capabilities, including a diverse array of biologic assays and animal disease
models, to generate and test fully human antibodies to these novel disease
targets. Gemini and Genmab will collaborate on the research, development and
commercialization of the new antibody products. Both companies will equally
share revenues generated from outlicensing or sales of these products.
Given the scope of this multi-target alliance, Medarex, Inc., a leading
antibody company based in the United States, will also contribute resources
to the collaboration and will share certain costs and commercial rights.
Medarex originally developed the human antibody technology which Genmab has
licensed and also has an agreement in which it may participate with Genmab in
multi-target European genomics relationships.
"Gemini's strategy is to leverage its unique clinical data by
forming non-exclusive partnerships with some of the leading genomics and drug
discovery technology companies. Our gene discovery efforts have yielded a
number of exciting results recently," said Paul Kelly, M.D., Chief
Executive Officer of Gemini Genomics. "Through our alliance with Genmab
we access Genmab's unique technology and can move our discoveries through
functional genomic analysis, and into antibody products. This alliance
demonstrates Gemini's commitment to accessing a suite of drug and
diagnostic discovery and development technologies. This strategy enables us
to retain ownership of our discoveries and maximize their value prior to
outlicensing."
"We are especially pleased with this collaboration because of
Gemini's unique capabilities and recent successes in the gene discovery
area. This alliance supports our portfolio approach to product
development", said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of
Genmab. "The Gemini collaboration broadens our pipeline of
genomics-based products with exciting new targets and moves us into new
disease areas which affect millions of people."
Gemini is a clinical genomics company focused on the discovery and
commercialization of novel gene-based targets. Gemini's approach
integrates comprehensive clinical data and detailed genetic information from
a wide range of human population groups, including twins, disease affected
families, isolated (founder) populations and drug trial subjects. By
investing in leading edge bioinformatics technologies, Gemini is able to
effectively apply these resources to the acceleration of disease gene
identification, target discovery, and drug development. With offices in the
United States, United Kingdom, and Sweden, Gemini aims to maximize revenue
generation arising from the commercialization of its discoveries by retaining
control over the gene discovery process and taking advantage of the greater
potential value offered by later-stage licensing opportunities. For more
information about Gemini Genomics, visit the company's web site,
www.gemini-genomics.com.
Genmab A/S is a biotechnology company that creates and
develops fully human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and
debilitating diseases. Genmab has four products in development to treat
cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and intends
to assemble a broad portfolio of new therapeutic products arising from
research into the human genome. At present, Genmab's commercial
opportunities are based upon research conducted at leading international
companies, such as Immunex, Oxford GlycoSciences, Eos Biotechnology and
Medarex, as well as in its own laboratories. A broad alliance provides Genmab
with access to Medarex's array of proprietary technologies, including the
HuMAb-Mouse®, for the rapid creation and development of fully human
antibodies to virtually any disease target. For more information about
Genmab, visit www.genmab.com.
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed
in this press release are forward looking statements that are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such statements such risks and uncertainties associated with product
discovery and development including statements regarding each Company's
clinical development programs and the expected timing of clinical trials and
regulatory filings. Such statements are based on each Company's
management's current expectations, but actual results may differ
materially.
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