Genmab is focused on building a deep pipeline of antibody products.
In addition to developing
HuMax and
UniBody products and forming
partnerships with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to
gain access to new disease targets, Genmab also works to acquire rights to
targets identified by other companies.
Cancer Targets
In May 2005, Genmab acquired the rights for 16 potential targets to treat
non-steroid dependent cancers of epithelial cell origin, such as
gastrointestinal cancers, including colon cancer, from the insolvency
administrator of Europroteome AG, a privately owned German company.
Genmab purchased all of Europroteome’s rights, including patent
applications and know how, and does not owe anything further to the
insolvency estate. There are no milestone or royalty
obligations. Genmab has started generating human antibodies to a
unique target highly expressed on colon carcinomas.
Angiogenesis Targets
In February 2006, Genmab acquired exclusive worldwide rights to eight
angiogensis targets identified and characterized by Bionomics. The
process of angiogenesis contributes to cancer growth and metastasis and is
also involved in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
and serious eye diseases, in particular macular degeneration. Under the
terms of the license agreement, Bionomics receives an up front fee and
additional fees upon the first target achieving specified preclinical and
clinical milestones. Bionomics will also receive milestone payments and
royalties on product sales for each product that reaches the market.