ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MacroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGNX ) today announced that Boehringer Ingelheim has nominated a bi-specific antibody therapeutic candidate generated by MacroGenics' Dual-Affinity Re-Targeting (DART™) technology for pre-clinical development. This will trigger a $5 million milestone payment to MacroGenics under the companies' October 2010 agreement to discover, develop and commercialize up to 10 DART-based therapeutics, which may span multiple therapeutic areas. In addition, Boehringer Ingelheim will pay a research maintenance payment of $4 million to MacroGenics in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics, added: "We are pleased that the lead candidate in this research program achieved this milestone. Over the past three years, we have greatly enjoyed our relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim and look forward to our continuing collaboration on additional DART research candidates."
Background on DART Platform
Our DART platform enables the targeting of multiple antigens or cells by using a single molecule with an antibody-like structure. We have created over 100 DART-based molecules, or DARTs, which have been configured for the potential treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders and infectious disease. These DARTs can be tailored for either short or prolonged pharmacokinetics and have demonstrated good stability and attractive manufacturability. We have completed in vitro and in vivo proof of concept studies with multiple candidates and expect to advance our first DARTs into clinical development in 2014.
About MacroGenics, Inc.
MacroGenics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company generates its pipeline of product candidates from its proprietary suite of next-generation antibody technology platforms, which it believes improve the performance of monoclonal antibodies and antibody-derived molecules. The company creates both differentiated molecules that are directed to novel cancer targets, as well as "bio-betters," which are drugs designed to improve upon marketed medicines. The combination of MacroGenics' technology platforms and antibody engineering expertise has allowed the company to generate promising product candidates and enter into several strategic collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. www.macrogenics.com
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including statements about the Company's strategy, future operations, clinical development of the Company's therapeutic candidates, milestone or opt-in payments from the Company's collaborators, the Company's anticipated milestones and future expectations and plans and prospects for the Company and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties inherent in the initiation and enrollment of future clinical trials, expectations of expanding ongoing clinical trials, availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the Company's product candidates and other risk factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Jim Karrels, Vice President, CFO MacroGenics, Inc., +1-301-251-5172, Karen Sharma, Director MacDougall Biomedical Communications 1-781-235-3060,
