Copenhagen, Denmark; November 16, 2007 – Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today encouraging pre-clinical data on its HuMax-IL8™ antibody (formerly known as HuMax-Inflam).  Pre-clinical studies characterized the exact HuMax-IL8 binding site on IL8, which overlaps with the docking site for the IL8 receptor, CXCR1. HuMax-IL8 was found to effectively block formation of new blood vessels induced by IL8 in an animal model. The antibody was also shown to affect tumor vascularization in different primary human tumors grown in immunocompromised mice. The antibody, furthermore, effectively suppressed tumor growth of primary sarcoma, melanoma and gastric tumors in immunocompromised mouse models. 

“These pre-clinical data illustrate that HuMax-IL8 effectively blocks IL8-induced formation of new blood vessels and affects tumor vascularization, both of which may well play a role in the potent anti-tumor effects induced by this antibody,” said Prof. Jan G. J. van de Winkel, Ph.D, Genmab’s Chief Scientific Officer.

Prof. van de Winkel will present these data today at the European Society for Medical Oncology International Symposium on Immunology in Athens, Greece.

About HuMax-IL8

HuMax-IL8 is a high affinity fully human IgG1,κ antibody directed towards IL-8.  IL-8 is a major mediator of inflammation, a potent chemoattractant for white blood cells called neutrophils, as well as an important factor in angiogenesis. HuMax-IL8 effectively blocks binding of IL-8 to neutrophils and inhibits neutrophils from migrating towards sites of inflammation via a process known as chemotaxis.  HuMax-IL8 also potently inhibits IL-8 induced neutrophil activation.  In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-IL8 has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in tumor models using primary human tumors in immunodeficient mice.