Genentech, Inc. (NYSE:DNA), GlycArt, a company wholly-owned by Roche,
and Roche (SWX:ROG) have entered into a collaboration agreement,
including a license from GlycArt to Genentech, for the joint development
and commercialization of GlycArt’s GA101
molecule. The companies will be developing GA101, a humanized anti-CD20
monoclonal antibody engineered to increase both direct- and
immune-mediated target cell death, for the potential treatment of
hematological malignancies and other oncology-related B-cell disorders
such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Pablo Umaña, Chief Scientific Officer and
co-founder of GlycArt, said, “With its unique
mode of action, we believe GA101 has the potential to extend the
therapeutic benefit over current standards of care, including treatment
for patients who do not respond to current therapies.”
“This collaboration with GlycArt and Roche for
the GA101 molecule complements our existing research program and our
focus on innovative compounds,” said Hal
Barron, M.D., Genentech senior vice president, development and chief
medical officer. “We are pleased that through
this program we may have the potential to offer a new option to treat
patients with hematological malignancies.”
“Our early investment in pioneering
technologies continues to provide new hope for patients,”
said William M. Burns, CEO Roche Pharmaceuticals. “The
exciting work in antibody engineering carried out by our scientists at
GlycArt can now be taken to the next stage in developing clinically
differentiated treatments.”
In association with this agreement, Genentech, Roche and GlycArt will
share certain development costs and Genentech will record $105 million
in research and development expense in its third quarter 2008 results.
Genentech will receive commercialization rights in the United States.
GA101 is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for CD20-positive
B-cell malignancies, such as non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). GlycArt and Roche
plan to provide an update on Phase I data for GA101 at the American
Society of Hematology meeting in December 2008.
About Genentech
Founded more than 30 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology
company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes
medicines to treat patients with significant unmet medical needs. The
company has headquarters in South San Francisco, California and is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DNA.
