Media Release
- Agreement to transfer remaining ofatumumab rights from GSK to Novartis now effective
Copenhagen, Denmark; December 21, 2015 – Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) announced today that the agreement under which GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) grants Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis) the remaining rights to ofatumumab, including rights in autoimmune diseases, is now effective. The agreement was announced in August 2015 and was subject to certain closing conditions, which have now been met. Novartis will be responsible for the development and commercialization of ofatumumab for all indications going forward.
“We are pleased with our existing collaboration with Novartis within the cancer field, and are looking forward to working with Novartis on ofatumumab for all remaining indications, including autoimmune diseases. We are looking forward to the initiation of clinical studies evaluating the subcutaneous formulation of ofatumumab as a potential therapy for patients with various autoimmune disorders,” said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
About Ofatumumab ( Arzerra®) Ofatumumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is designed to target the CD20 molecule found on the surface of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and normal B lymphocytes.
In the United States, Arzerra is approved for use in combination with chlorambucil for the treatment of previously untreated patients with CLL for whom fludarabine-based therapy is considered inappropriate. In the European Union, Arzerra is approved for use in combination with chlorambucil or bendamustine for the treatment of patients with CLL who have not received prior therapy and who are not eligible for fludarabine-based therapy. In more than 50 countries worldwide, Arzerra is also indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with CLL who are refractory after prior treatment with fludarabine and alemtuzumab.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING for Arzerra (ofatumumab) .
Arzerra is marketed under a collaboration agreement between Genmab and Novartis.
About Genmab Genmab is a publicly traded, international biotechnology company specializing in the creation and development of differentiated antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Founded in 1999, the company has two approved antibodies, Arzerra® (ofatumumab) for the treatment of certain chronic lymphocytic leukemia indications and DARZALEX™ (daratumumab) for the treatment of heavily pretreated or double refractory multiple myeloma. Daratumumab is in clinical development for additional multiple myeloma indications and for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Genmab also has a broad clinical and pre-clinical product pipeline. Genmab's technology base consists of validated and proprietary next generation antibody technologies - the DuoBody® platform for generation of bispecific antibodies, and the HexaBody® platform which creates effector function enhanced antibodies. The company intends to leverage these technologies to create opportunities for full or co-ownership of future products. Genmab has alliances with top tier pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. For more information visit www.genmab.com .
Contact: Rachel Curtis Gravesen, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Communication T: +45 33 44 77 20; M: +45 25 12 62 60; E: r.gravesen@genmab.com
This Media Release contains forward looking statements. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend” and “plan” and similar expressions identify forward looking statements. Actual results or performance may differ materially from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. The important factors that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially include, among others, risks associated with pre-clinical and clinical development of products, uncertainties related to the outcome and conduct of clinical trials including unforeseen safety issues, uncertainties related to product manufacturing, the lack of market acceptance of our products, our inability to manage growth, the competitive environment in relation to our business area and markets, our inability to attract and retain suitably qualified personnel, the unenforceability or lack of protection of our patents and proprietary rights, our relationships with affiliated entities, changes and developments in technology which may render our products obsolete, and other factors. For a further discussion of these risks, please refer to the risk management sections in Genmab’s most recent financial reports, which are available on www.genmab.com . Genmab does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward looking statements in this Media Release nor to confirm such statements in relation to actual results, unless required by law.
Genmab A/S and its subsidiaries own the following trademarks: Genmab ® ; the Y-shaped Genmab logo ® ; Genmab in combination with the Y-shaped Genmab logo™; the DuoBody logo ® ; the HexaBody logo™; HuMax ® ; HuMax-CD20 ® ; DuoBody ® ; HexaBody ® and UniBody ® . Arzerra ® is a trademark of Novartis AG or its affiliates. DARZALEX™ is a trademark of Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Media Release no. 12 CVR no. 2102 3884
Genmab A/S Bredgade 34E 1260 Copenhagen K Denmark
