Genzyme to Help Abgenix Produce ABX-IL8 Antibody

Genzyme Transgenics Corp. (GTC; Framingham, MA) and Abgenix Inc. (Fremont, CA) have signed an agreement to co-produce ABX-IL8, Abgenix' fully human monoclonal antibody currently in Phase II clinical trials for psoriasis. In exchange for undisclosed fees and milestone payments, GTC will develop transgenic goats that express ABX-IL8 in their milk.

Abgenix will first generate fully human antibodies to a given target using its XenoMouse strain of transgenic mice; from this pool of antibodies, Abgenix scientists will select the optimal antibody and its corresponding gene for product development. GTC will then use its proprietary technology to engineer the gene encoding the selected antibody into transgenic goats that will produce the antibody in their milk. The antibody will then be purified from the goat's milk. The companies believe that a small herd of such transgenic goats could sufficient produce enough antibody to meet even large market needs.

Genzyme Transgenics Corp. applies transgenic technology to enable the development and production of recombinant proteins particularly monoclonal antibodies for medical uses. The company has successfully produced over 60 human proteins in animals' milk, including monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin fusion proteins, hard-to-express and plasma proteins. It is currently working with a number of organizations to produce transgenic proteins as potential treatments for a variety of diseases, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and intends to commercialize antibody therapies for the treatment of such conditions as transplant-related diseases, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, and cancer.

For more information: Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, President and CEO, Genzyme Transgenics Corp., 5 Mountain Rd., Framingham, MA 01701. Tel: 508-620-9700. Fax: 508-370-3797.

Edited by Jim Pomager